Bore help?

[jlutz]

Hi all. I purchased a Zouave style .58 made by A. Zoli at an online auction. That's always a bit like buying a pig in a poke, but it was inexpensive enough that I thought it would be fun to tinker with either way. As I have begun cleaning the bore, it's in rougher shape than I'd hoped. I'd appreciate opinions from those more experienced on than myself as to whether I should continue to clean it and see how it shoots or if its a lost cause and I should perhaps consider consulting with someone like Mr. Hoyt on the possibility of re-boring it something like a .62 caliber. The barrel is approx. 33" in length and 3/16" thickness at the muzzle.

The first photo shows an interesting groove very near the muzzle. Perhaps a casting flaw?

Many thanks!

 

[Flintandsteel]

Definitely a candidate for a rebore or reline.

 

[Treestalker]

After the civil war many zouaves were bored out smooth to 20 guage and sold to native peoples; I understand many went to African tribesmen who used them on everything from birds to elephants. It would make a hell of a shotgun, (although heavy) and would be devastating with a patched round ball at reasonable range. Go for it, it will be the best 'survival' gun available. You could also cut the barrel length down to 26" for weight reduction. I did so on my Zoli so I could hold it up; my left arm is partly paralyzed. Still considering smoothing the bore. Good luck and good smoke!

 

[Kansas Jake]

Bobby Hoyt
Freischutz Shop
2379 Mt Hope Rd Fairfield
PA 17320
ph# 717-642-6696

He can rebore or line the barrel. Call if it is something you are interested in doing. Early morning would be the best.

A local pawn shop has a rough bore Zoli that I would pick up for the same thing if they didn't think it was made of gold. It looks pretty good on the outside but the bore is rusty and the hammer is bent a little and will need straightened. Also no ramrod. It is not exactly cheap for the $400 asking price.

 

[jlutz]

A local pawn shop has a rough bore Zoli that I would pick up for the same thing if they didn't think it was made of gold. It looks pretty good on the outside but the bore is rusty and the hammer is bent a little and will need straightened. Also no ramrod. It is not exactly cheap for the $400 asking price.

Yeah, I’ve been watching auctions for some time now trying to find a deal. It seems the going rate, often regardless of condition, has been around $500. I hung in there and got this one for considerably less than the one you mentioned at the pawn shop. This one is mechanically sound with the exterior in need of just a bit of clean up.

Thanks all, for the input. It’s sounds like the consensus is what I suspected. I’ll give Mr. Hoyt a call Monday morning!

 

[mooman76]

Try shooting it first. Doesn't hut to try. I've never had to recondition a bad bore but many say they sometimes still shoot surprisingly well.