My first front loader - a Mississippi?.

[Heatseeker64]

Hey all, my first general post on this forum.

Here's some pictures of my first muzzle loader - it was sold to me as a Zoli Zouave, but after a bit of research it appears it's an 1841 Mississippi rifle in .58 calibre.

I've heard the Zouaves were good shooters and wouldn't have passed one by, but for me it's a big bonus that the rifle's a replica of one that saw service as my main muzzle loading interest in the American Civil War.

It came with all this:

And I bought this as a "correct era" field bag (I mainly plan to go hunting, so I want everything I need in the one bag:

Obviously I need some black powder, but my questions are:

1. What cleaning gear do I need?
2. What is the purpose of the sheet metal inserts in the cartridge box?
3. Are the straps on the cartridge box set up correctly?
4. I've been told that mettalic powder containers/measures are dangerous and can explode ... is there any basis to this?
5. Is the pocket under the main flap on the front of the cartridge box intended for the caps? Can they safely be stored in there loose?
6. Is a separate pouch with a wool lining needed for the caps?

 

[Zonie]

I am not into the fine points of Civil war cartridge boxes but a few comments about your rifle and other questions:

"1. What cleaning gear do I need?"

I don't see a nipple wrench in your goodies picture. Note: These Musket cap nipples take a larger wrench than the #11 nipples found on most percussion rifles.

I see what looks like a ball screw but I don't see a claning jag. I suggest that you buy one for the .58 caliber and while your at it, if you don't have a good stout cleaning rod get one of them too.

Some cleaning patches would be good. I don't recommend getting any larger than the ones made for a 20 guage for the .58.

"4. I've been told that mettalic powder containers/measures are dangerous and can explode ... is there any basis to this?"

Metal containers/measures work just fine. You will find many made of brass and I believe these were historically used because of a fear of sparks which might be created by steel parts striking hard objects.
It has been proven a number of times that static electricity will not cause black powder to ignite.

Store your caps in anything that will keep them dry and prevent them from being crushed.

As for your rifle, you are correct about it being a Mississippi replica. (I assume it is a modern gun)
These are often refered to as the Model 1841 U.S. Percussion Rifle and were originally made in .54 caliber.
Flayderman's book says over 5,000 of these rifles were converted to .58 caliber by Colt and the National Armories also converted 8,879 of them to .58s.

Have fun with your nice rifle and Welcome to the Forum.

Zonie

 

[Heatseeker64]

Thanks for the welcome Zonie ... yes, it's a modern repro - a Zoli.

There's a gun shop here in Sydney with an avid black powder guy behind the counter so I'll pick his brains about cleaning gear.

I can find plenty of references to Zoli Zouave rifles on the net, but only very few mentions of a Mississippi rifle from that company.

This particular rifle was used for many years by a now elderly gent for hunting pigs (I believe you Americans call them "Hogs") and deer, and he only sold it due to failing eyesight.

It has been well used, but also well cared for, and has been passed to a loving home.

I also got it for a good price - with all the accessories in the picture is cost $320 Aussie dollars (that's about US$200) and I bought the cartridge box.

 

[Zonie]

It's great to have another person from down under join us!

I was just looking thru the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values to see what I could find about your gun.
It doesn't mention Zoli but Zoli was the Manufacturer and this book lists by the companys that imported the guns to the U.S.

The book is also sometimes a little high (in my judgment) on its price estimates but it is fun to look at occasionally.

Anyway, these companys at one time or another imported the 1841 Model into the U.S.
The guns may or may not have been made by Zoli, it doesn't say.
Looking at the photos you posted I would say your gun is in at least "95% condition", perhaps higher so I'll give the 95% estimate followed by the 98% estimate.

The books estimate listed by the Importing Co.
DIXIE GUN WORKS: $390, $450
EUROARMS: $305, $395
FEDERAL ORDANCE CORP: $300, $390
NAVY ARMS: $310, $395

The values are in U.S. Dollars.

 

[Heatseeker64]

Thanks for that mate ... not that I bought it with re-sale in mind, but it is nice to know I got a good deal.

It's prominently marked "Zoli", so it appears it has been quite a while since the company made their own Mississippi rifle - although they've probably manufactured them for other makers.

As I said, there seems to be plenty of Zoli Zouave rifles for sale, but so far I've only found reference to one Mississippi rifle from that manufacturer.