What the Heck Is It?
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bamafan4life
New member
All i can say is u'd be the biggest idiot i know to donate that gun, from the pics and ur description, and the condition i can tell that it's in it could probly be the most valued possesion u have. we need better pics, maybe of the overall gun? and look for riting along the barrel.
Inspector3711
New member
Yes... Pics of the whole action and the whole rifle.
Jim Watson
New member
I think you have a Zulu.
It started out as a Belgian breechloading conversion of a
French or Belgian military rifle musket, as did the American Trapdoor or even closer to the British Snider, which opened sideways like that. After it was obsoleted by repeaters, it was reamed smoothbore and cut down into an inexpensive shotgun. It was cheap then, it does not have a lot of resale value now, there was one on GunsAmerica going begging for $225. Hang it on the wall and make up stories about it.
It started out as a Belgian breechloading conversion of a
French or Belgian military rifle musket, as did the American Trapdoor or even closer to the British Snider, which opened sideways like that. After it was obsoleted by repeaters, it was reamed smoothbore and cut down into an inexpensive shotgun. It was cheap then, it does not have a lot of resale value now, there was one on GunsAmerica going begging for $225. Hang it on the wall and make up stories about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabatière_rifle
http://www.militaryrifles.com/France/Tabatier.htm
As Jim notes, many were converted to smoothbore, usually 12ga and sold as "Zulu shotguns".
http://www.militaryrifles.com/France/Tabatier.htm
As Jim notes, many were converted to smoothbore, usually 12ga and sold as "Zulu shotguns".
Mike Irwin
Staff
Value on these guns is seldom very high, which leads me to believe that this is NOT the most valuable possession that you own, probably not even close.
There were literally millions made, generally very cheaply, and they were sold very cheaply. Bannerman catalogs from the era show that in spades.
I have books that are worth far more than that.
There were literally millions made, generally very cheaply, and they were sold very cheaply. Bannerman catalogs from the era show that in spades.
I have books that are worth far more than that.
It's a what? More Pics*
I have a gun but have no idea what it's history is. Should I hang it on a wall or donate it to some museum? OAL is 47 1/2", Barrel is 29 3/4, LOP is 13 1/4. The top of the butt plate is US stamped. Clear Liege stamp but numbers on the barrel are not distinguishable. Very large smooth bore barrel is choked the last 3/4". "Rear sight" is nothing more than a rough, filed 1/4" grove. Any more help from you guys will be much appreciated!
I have a gun but have no idea what it's history is. Should I hang it on a wall or donate it to some museum? OAL is 47 1/2", Barrel is 29 3/4, LOP is 13 1/4. The top of the butt plate is US stamped. Clear Liege stamp but numbers on the barrel are not distinguishable. Very large smooth bore barrel is choked the last 3/4". "Rear sight" is nothing more than a rough, filed 1/4" grove. Any more help from you guys will be much appreciated!
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Jim Watson
New member
Just confirms conclusions from your previous thread.
The picture of the lock will let somebody with good references identify which European rifle musket was turned into a Zulu shotgun.
The picture of the lock will let somebody with good references identify which European rifle musket was turned into a Zulu shotgun.
Cheers!