58 caliber Antonio Zoli Zouave finishes

[64Springer]

The large hole near the aftermarket sight was to secure the orignal military style sight.

 

[user 56015]

The large hole near the aftermarket sight was to secure the orignal military style sight.

Well now that you mention the rear site, today I found myself with a whole new issue........

While still struggling to get the breech plug out, I accidentally broke the rear site (GGGGRRRrrrrrr)!!!!

It happens to be a site that wedged into a wedge looking cut out in the back of the barrel. Now along with all the other parts I have to make or find, I have to find an exact match to replace that......

Don;t have a pic to show unfortunately

 

[Trot]

You'd be better off to get the correct rear sight. Is there a reason you are removing the breechplug? If not, I would leave that alone, that can lead to more issues.

 

[user 56015]

You'd be better off to get the correct rear sight. Is there a reason you are removing the breechplug? If not, I would leave that alone, that can lead to more issues.

I would prefer to have what was originally on the gun. Is the original sight going to mount into that wedge? Is that an original notch or an aftermath install?
The reason for the removal of the breech plug is that I purchased this gun 20 years ago and have never fired it. I want to remove it, clean it, inspect it, and make sure it's safe. Then in the future, it will be easier to clean when this can be readily removed.

 

[Trot]

Bad idea to regularly remove a breech plug. They were meant to be put in and left there. If removed on a regular basis the fit will get sloppy and loose. Hard to say how much the original dovetail was messed with when that sight was put on. Probably the only way to know for sure is to get one and try it.

 

[dave951]

I would prefer to have what was originally on the gun. Is the original sight going to mount into that wedge? Is that an original notch or an aftermath install?
The reason for the removal of the breech plug is that I purchased this gun 20 years ago and have never fired it. I want to remove it, clean it, inspect it, and make sure it's safe. Then in the future, it will be easier to clean when this can be readily removed.

You don't need to unbreech these unless there's a real problem. Don't go creating problems. I shoot Civil War muskets in competition and NOBODY I know will ever remove the beech plug unless there is a very serious problem.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

There are actually two with two very shallow screws in them about four inches apart. I figured it was for mounting something. Don't know what, unless they were added later on after the manufacture of the original rifle. There's an additional screw hole in front of the rear site too I'm guessing for mounting a bigger rear site

The screw hole in front of the rear sight is correct. This would have held down the original front sight. As for that other small screw on the side of the barrel, I have no idea what that could be. I'm just as puzzled as @64Springer

 

[user 56015]

Bad idea to regularly remove a breech plug. They were meant to be put in and left there. If removed on a regular basis the fit will get sloppy and loose. Hard to say how much the original dovetail was messed with when that sight was put on. Probably the only way to know for sure is to get one and try it.

Ok, I didn't know that. I figured it's just like a regular firearm where are a certain amount of rounds, a full cleaning is warranted.

So if that's not the way to clean it, is it just a matter of pushing a bristle rod down there and twisting it around a bit? What happens with long term build up?

As far as the site, the wedge cut out wasn't damaged at all, looks pretty clean. I ordered a new back site today. Whether it fits or not will be another story. If it doesn't fit into the notch and top mounts, then I'll replace the busted base of the old new site and glue it is place and file it down like someone suggested with the longer screws into those mysterious other holes in the side of my barrel. Then place the flush mount site on top.

 

[user 56015]

You don't need to unbreech these unless there's a real problem. Don't go creating problems. I shoot Civil War muskets in competition and NOBODY I know will ever remove the beech plug unless there is a very serious problem.

Ok, I'm getting that sense from multiple people. So once again, please educate me on the cleaning of this thing

 

[user 56015]

The screw hole in front of the rear sight is correct. This would have held down the original front sight. As for that other small screw on the side of the barrel, I have no idea what that could be. I'm just as puzzled as @64Springer

Maybe someone was planning on mounting some type of a side brace mounted top scope, I don't know.....

 

[Trot]

I just use a wet patch on a cleaning jag, repeat until it is clean, pipe cleaner, or q-tip in the nipple hole, dry patch to get all the water out and then use something for rust prevention. I usually use Ballistol but everybody has there favorite. It's really pretty easy. Some people do use brushes, but you have to be careful in a muzzleloader, in a breech loader they are generally pushed all the way through. Obviously you can't do that with a muzzleloader and the bristles bend back and resist pulling back out. More than one has been stuck in a bore.

 

[user 56015]

I just use a wet patch on a cleaning jag, repeat until it is clean, pipe cleaner, or q-tip in the nipple hole, dry patch to get all the water out and then use something for rust prevention. I usually use Ballistol but everybody has there favorite. It's really pretty easy. Some people do use brushes, but you have to be careful in a muzzleloader, in a breech loader they are generally pushed all the way through. Obviously you can't do that with a muzzleloader and the bristles bend back and resist pulling back out. More than one has been stuck in a bore.

Thanks!

 

[dave951]

Ok, I'm getting that sense from multiple people. So once again, please educate me on the cleaning of this thing

With the hammer cocked and nothing on the nipple, spray Windex down the barrel. Next run a couple patches down the bore, spray some more Windex. Put on a breech face scraper, a tool made to clean the flat breech face of these types of guns. More Windex, remove the nipple, more patches till clean. Windex is ammonia, alcohol and water. All stuff used to clean bp fouling since time immemorial. The ammonia serves to neutralize the acid of the fouling. Alcohol and water soften it let the patches do their thing. Once the patches run clean and dry, then oil the bore. Put a small dot of white lithium or Mobil 1 synthetic grease on the threads and reinstall. Do NOT go white knuckles tight. It only needs to be snug. Wipe off the outside with a patch and Windex. Oil patch when finished.

I can clean my competition guns in about 5-10 minutes flat using this method.

 

[user 56015]

With the hammer cocked and nothing on the nipple, spray Windex down the barrel. Next run a couple patches down the bore, spray some more Windex. Put on a breech face scraper, a tool made to clean the flat breech face of these types of guns. More Windex, remove the nipple, more patches till clean. Windex is ammonia, alcohol and water. All stuff used to clean bp fouling since time immemorial. The ammonia serves to neutralize the acid of the fouling. Alcohol and water soften it let the patches do their thing. Once the patches run clean and dry, then oil the bore. Put a small dot of white lithium or Mobil 1 synthetic grease on the threads and reinstall. Do NOT go white knuckles tight. It only needs to be snug. Wipe off the outside with a patch and Windex. Oil patch when finished.

I can clean my competition guns in about 5-10 minutes flat using this method.

View attachment 184041

Thanks!!!
I wish all my guns were that easy...
I would imagine the outside of the gun similarly given the potential of powder residue it looks like it receives from being fired?

 

[dave951]

Thanks!!!
I wish all my guns were that easy...
I would imagine the outside of the gun similarly given the potential of powder residue it looks like it receives from being fired?

Yup.

 

[Stantheman86]

It appears someone used the dovetail for the original leaf rear sight to mount an aftermarket sight?

The random screws in the side of the barrel are weird. Unfortunately in the 60's and 70's these Zoli's were cheap , and people used to mess with them to make brush guns and muzzleloading season hunting rifles.

I'd say just use vinegar to remove the blue on the barrel and polish it Bright like this one

The screw for the rear sight and a Zoli rear sight may be tough to find and I don't know if Euroarms, Pedersoli or Chiappa rear sights will fit.

 

[user 56015]

It appears someone used the dovetail for the original leaf rear sight to mount an aftermarket sight?

The random screws in the side of the barrel are weird. Unfortunately in the 60's and 70's these Zoli's were cheap , and people used to mess with them to make brush guns and muzzleloading season hunting rifles.

I'd say just use vinegar to remove the blue on the barrel and polish it Bright like this one

View attachment 184150

View attachment 184151

The screw for the rear sight and a Zoli rear sight may be tough to find and I don't know if Euroarms, Pedersoli or Chiappa rear sights will fit.

Nice. I still haven't made up my mind on finish.

I have a whole rear site coming from Chiappa. We'll see how it goes. I'll keep everyone updated