What the Heck Is It?

ga nopro · August 20, 2009, 08:28 PM

delete

bamafan4life · August 20, 2009, 08:59 PM

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 · August 20, 2009, 09:19 PM

Yes... Pics of the whole action and the whole rifle.

Jim Watson · August 20, 2009, 09:23 PM

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.

**JohnKSa** · August 20, 2009, 10:10 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabati%C3%A8re_rifle
http://www.militaryrifles.com/France/Tabatier.htm
As Jim notes, many were converted to smoothbore, usually 12ga and sold as "Zulu shotguns".

Tamara · August 21, 2009, 07:09 AM

Yup, sporterized Tabatier. An interesting wallhanger, but not particularly valuable.

jsmaye · August 21, 2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

All i can say is u'd be the biggest idiot i know to donate that gun

You can donate something to a museum without actually transferring ownership. Maybe this guy is not as materialistic as you.

**Mike Irwin** · August 21, 2009, 10:26 AM

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.

ga nopro · August 21, 2009, 01:11 PM

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!

Jim Watson · August 21, 2009, 01:36 PM

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.

Tamara · August 21, 2009, 02:13 PM

Threads merged.

ga nopro · August 21, 2009, 04:43 PM

Hey, thanks a bunch guys! Zulu shotgun it is then. I'd hang it on my wall but every time I looked at it I'd have to think of bamafan4life learning to spell real words.

Cheers!

August 20, 2009, 08:28 PM	#1
ga nopro Member Join Date: August 20, 2007 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 24	delete delete Last edited by ga nopro; August 21, 2009 at 01:18 PM. Reason: deleted

August 20, 2009, 09:19 PM	#3
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	Yes... Pics of the whole action and the whole rifle. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

August 20, 2009, 10:10 PM	#5
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,986	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabati%C3%A8re_rifle http://www.militaryrifles.com/France/Tabatier.htm As Jim notes, many were converted to smoothbore, usually 12ga and sold as "Zulu shotguns". __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

August 21, 2009, 07:09 AM	#6
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	Yup. Yup, sporterized Tabatier. An interesting wallhanger, but not particularly valuable. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

August 21, 2009, 10:26 AM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	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. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 20, 2009, 08:59 PM	#2
bamafan4life Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Posts: 190	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.

August 20, 2009, 09:23 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	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.

August 21, 2009, 01:36 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	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.

August 21, 2009, 02:13 PM	#11
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	Threads merged. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

August 21, 2009, 04:43 PM	#12
ga nopro Member Join Date: August 20, 2007 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 24	Zulu Hey, thanks a bunch guys! Zulu shotgun it is then. I'd hang it on my wall but every time I looked at it I'd have to think of bamafan4life learning to spell real words. Cheers!