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There is a picture of what is identified as a Georgia Armory Rifle on pages 42 and 43 of EOG: Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy that bears a close resemblance to the reproduction rifle generally known as the Remington "Zouave." The only differences would seem to be the lack of an eagle forward of the hammer on the Georgia Armory and a slightly different bayonet lug.
As with the "Zouave" rifle, the Georgia Armory rifle appears to be an updated M1841 Mississippi rifle, with some M1855 parts, such as the small patchbox, the barrel bands, and the nosecap. The picture in EOG is consistent with description of Georgia Armory rifles in Flayderman's and Confederate Longarms and Pistols.
I have seem numerous pictures of CSA Mississippi style rifles with the same general features as the EOG Georgia Armory rifle, particularly the lockplate, barrel and stock, with variations in the bands, sights, and with or without (generally without) the M1855 style patchbox.
Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to examine any original CSA Mississippi style rifles, with the exception of the few examples seen through glass at the Gettysburg NP visitors center.
I am interested in CSA Mississippi style rifles because some of the units in which some of my Confederate ancestors served were issued Mississippi style rifles. While recognizing that Enfields were far more common in Confederate ranks than either Federal Armory or Contract Mississippis or CSA Mississippi style rifles and that many or most events do not allow any rifles to be used on the field (except perhaps by cavalry), I am wondering about the feasibility of de-farbing the so-called Zouave into a Georgia Armory rifle for use in living history demonstrations based on research into units documented as having used Mississippi style rifles or at events where involving units documented as having Mississippi style rifles. Particularly with respect to the lockplate, it appears that the reproduction could more readily be de-farbed as a Georgia Armory rifle than as the Remington it is supposed to a reproduce. As my research has been limited largely to photographs and written description, I am hoping someone with first-hand knowledge of Confederate weapons can offer an opinion on this.
Mick Cole
Commander, Guy-Thurmon Camp SCV
Rochester, NY
As with the "Zouave" rifle, the Georgia Armory rifle appears to be an updated M1841 Mississippi rifle, with some M1855 parts, such as the small patchbox, the barrel bands, and the nosecap. The picture in EOG is consistent with description of Georgia Armory rifles in Flayderman's and Confederate Longarms and Pistols.
I have seem numerous pictures of CSA Mississippi style rifles with the same general features as the EOG Georgia Armory rifle, particularly the lockplate, barrel and stock, with variations in the bands, sights, and with or without (generally without) the M1855 style patchbox.
Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to examine any original CSA Mississippi style rifles, with the exception of the few examples seen through glass at the Gettysburg NP visitors center.
I am interested in CSA Mississippi style rifles because some of the units in which some of my Confederate ancestors served were issued Mississippi style rifles. While recognizing that Enfields were far more common in Confederate ranks than either Federal Armory or Contract Mississippis or CSA Mississippi style rifles and that many or most events do not allow any rifles to be used on the field (except perhaps by cavalry), I am wondering about the feasibility of de-farbing the so-called Zouave into a Georgia Armory rifle for use in living history demonstrations based on research into units documented as having used Mississippi style rifles or at events where involving units documented as having Mississippi style rifles. Particularly with respect to the lockplate, it appears that the reproduction could more readily be de-farbed as a Georgia Armory rifle than as the Remington it is supposed to a reproduce. As my research has been limited largely to photographs and written description, I am hoping someone with first-hand knowledge of Confederate weapons can offer an opinion on this.
Mick Cole
Commander, Guy-Thurmon Camp SCV
Rochester, NY
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