Snyder Action/ Zulu Shotgun?

so I bought this thing a little while back and I have no idea what it is. The seller called it by the names in the title. From what little info I can find this design is the British version of the trap door breach block system they updated some muskets to in the US. Anyone know anything about these things

 

It's an adaptation of the Snyder rifle, done after they were pulled from front line duty. Either sold in colonies, or issued to native troops in said colonies.

 

Are they actually British? It looks like some pseudocopy out of Liege.

 

I don't know anything about this version. It looks awesome.

 

They were made from French Tabatiere's. They called them Zulu's to help sell them. They were converted in Belgium with a Snyder type action. They are not safe for smokeless powder.

 

I figured it would be for black powder only. Outside of the metal is all refinished flawlessly. Looks as good as a factory blue. Bore is lightly rusted and pitted most of the way threw until about the last three inches. When were these made?

 

What time period was this?

 

someone polished and blued it so well that it is like a mirror. Reflects the color of the kitchen wall so well here it looks like the cloaking technology from the movie predator

 

The rifles were 1853/1857 models. They were converted to the "Snyder" type action in 1867. The bores were drilled out and the stocks cut down by Bannerman between 1870-1900.

 

So I suppose to test fire I'll put about 70grns of FF and an oz of #7 1/2 Pb with a fiber wad in between em and mild primer such as a cheddite in a cheddite hull. If the powder burns the hull I don't care I've got tons of em.

 

I don't know what the chamber length is in those but they will be short. If you use 2 3/4 shells the crimp will open up over the forcing cone and raise pressure.

 

Oh I didn't think about that. Will have to get someone to measure the chamber. I've got some 2 1/2 inch shells but they're loaded with smokeless powder. Next time I shoot some of those I'll save the hulls. That or I'll get me some brass 2 1/2 inch hulls

 

You need to get some Magtech brass shells, a black powder shells load book and the overgauge components, all available from Ballistic Products. BP shells shoot very well and the clean up is no biggie. Very cool gun. I’d have to try round ball loads! Enjoy.

 

You know that is exactly one of the things I thought about too. Some kinda load with a soft lead round ball. It's open cylinder

 

That’s what they look like in working order. I have a rusted out one missing about 50% of every part. It’s good for a prop and fake frontier story. I’m pretty sure my grandfather bought it in the 1960s for a Halloween costume (at least I know it was used in that role). I wouldn’t shoot a nerf dart in mine (also, there is no hammer, so that helps) but yours looks like it would be a fun black powder shooter.

 

Only flaw with mine other than the light pitting in the bore is the piece of the stock missing right over the lock but it doesn't appear to harm the structure of the thing