converting a Zouave from percussion to flintlock

Frank the pirate · February 5, 2011, 05:54 PM

I'm thinking of converting my Zouave from percussion to flint, I have a great gunsmith and someone who could weld the pan onto the barrel (or do I even have to weld it ?) It is in good to fair condition and I only paid $100 for the gun so I'm not too concerned with the value, I just want to be a little more period for the re enacting I do. Any thoughts? thanks!

Rifleman1776 · February 5, 2011, 06:08 PM

A Zouave is CW. Percussion is period correct for CW.
Do it for fun maybe but not authenticity.

junkman_01 · February 5, 2011, 06:27 PM

The pan is part of the lock, not the barrel....

jackpine · February 5, 2011, 06:38 PM

yea a zuoave is a Civil War weapon. What are you trying to make? If your looking at fur trapper era you'll not get there the route your going. If your trying for a early CW flint lock like you would find with home guard or poor southern units you could get there with careful planning but you may be better off with selling this one an get what you want ready to shoot.

junkman_01 · February 5, 2011, 06:41 PM

The OP's name is 'Frank the Pirate'. Does that give you any kind of clue as to what reenacting he is interested in? Huh?

Hawg · February 5, 2011, 06:50 PM

Methinks it's going to be cost consumptive to go from percussion to flint. It's not just a matter of swapping locks. You'll have to have the lock converted to flint because the flint lock won't fit the hole or have the stock inlet for the flint lock. Then you have the barrel bolster to contend with. That will all have to be ground down smooth and the hole welded up and the touch hole drilled and lined. Plus the pan may have to be extended to match the barrel contour. forget about it and do as suggested, sell it and buy a flinter.

kwhi43 · February 5, 2011, 07:48 PM

Take a look at a Harpers Ferry.

mykeal · February 6, 2011, 07:32 AM

At first glance I thought you were suggesting that he take a look at the Harper's Ferry rifle as an example of what a converted Zouave flintlock rifle would be, which made no sense.

Then I realized you are suggesting he take a look at buying a Harper's Ferry rifle.

I really should have had another cup of coffee before turning on the computer this morning.

Hawg · February 6, 2011, 08:07 AM

We all have days like that Mykeal.

DrLaw · February 6, 2011, 08:36 AM

The big question that came to me first is, "Why?"

As others have said, just get a Harper's Ferry rifle or some other flintlock and you will be much happier than trying to convert a Zouave into what wasn't.

The Doc is out now.

February 5, 2011, 05:54 PM	#1
Frank the pirate Junior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 13	converting a Zouave from percussion to flintlock I'm thinking of converting my Zouave from percussion to flint, I have a great gunsmith and someone who could weld the pan onto the barrel (or do I even have to weld it ?) It is in good to fair condition and I only paid $100 for the gun so I'm not too concerned with the value, I just want to be a little more period for the re enacting I do. Any thoughts? thanks!

February 6, 2011, 08:36 AM	#10
DrLaw Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Wild Western Illinois Posts: 559	The big question that came to me first is, "Why?" As others have said, just get a Harper's Ferry rifle or some other flintlock and you will be much happier than trying to convert a Zouave into what wasn't. The Doc is out now. __________________ General McAuliffe said it best "Nuts."

February 5, 2011, 06:08 PM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	A Zouave is CW. Percussion is period correct for CW. Do it for fun maybe but not authenticity.

February 5, 2011, 06:27 PM	#3
junkman_01 Junior member Join Date: November 9, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 260	The pan is part of the lock, not the barrel....

February 5, 2011, 06:38 PM	#4
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	yea a zuoave is a Civil War weapon. What are you trying to make? If your looking at fur trapper era you'll not get there the route your going. If your trying for a early CW flint lock like you would find with home guard or poor southern units you could get there with careful planning but you may be better off with selling this one an get what you want ready to shoot.

February 5, 2011, 06:41 PM	#5
junkman_01 Junior member Join Date: November 9, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 260	The OP's name is 'Frank the Pirate'. Does that give you any kind of clue as to what reenacting he is interested in? Huh?

February 5, 2011, 06:50 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Methinks it's going to be cost consumptive to go from percussion to flint. It's not just a matter of swapping locks. You'll have to have the lock converted to flint because the flint lock won't fit the hole or have the stock inlet for the flint lock. Then you have the barrel bolster to contend with. That will all have to be ground down smooth and the hole welded up and the touch hole drilled and lined. Plus the pan may have to be extended to match the barrel contour. forget about it and do as suggested, sell it and buy a flinter.

February 5, 2011, 07:48 PM	#7
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Take a look at a Harpers Ferry.

February 6, 2011, 07:32 AM	#8
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	At first glance I thought you were suggesting that he take a look at the Harper's Ferry rifle as an example of what a converted Zouave flintlock rifle would be, which made no sense. Then I realized you are suggesting he take a look at buying a Harper's Ferry rifle. I really should have had another cup of coffee before turning on the computer this morning.

February 6, 2011, 08:07 AM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	We all have days like that Mykeal.