Bill Large Zouave rifle-musket barrel

[bones92]

I picked up a 2-band rifle-musket (an 1863 model, I suppose, with brass patchbox).   The barrel has a marking on the left side that seems odd.  Does anyone have an idea of what  15EO might signify?

[hanshi]

I can't answer your question but would like to add that you have a quality barrel on that Zouave.

[wet willy]

You have a really fine barrel on that rifle! Bill Large made some of the finest and most desirable barrels in contemporary times.

Some NMLRA musket shooters would love a rifle like this.

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Also a good N-SSA beginner's rifle.

A rough copy of the never-issued Remington contract to the 1863 rifle-musket. They first appeared imported by Navy Arms Company in 1961, made by Antonio Zoli in Italy. That barrel is superb for competition shooting.

However, this rifle is a little bit outside the realm of this Forum, since its not a longrifle in the proper sense. I recommend you'll get a better response on the Muzzleloading Forum (PM me for the website address, if needed). They have sub-forums divided into historical periods, including CW.

[bones92]

Thanks, Buck.  I was just hoping someone here could decipher that odd marking, perhaps one of the members here who actually knew Bill Large.

[Bob Roller]

Thanks, Buck.  I was just hoping someone here could decipher that odd marking, perhaps one of the members here who actually knew Bill Large.

I probably knew him as well or better than anyone on this forum and can't attach that mark to his work.
It's an addition for reasons I don't know.

Bob Roller

[bones92]

Thanks, Bob.  I was hoping you would comment.

Not a big deal, really. 

Do you know if Bill Large would have added the front and rear sights? Or would theses have been added by the customer?

[Bob Roller]

Thanks, Bob.  I was hoping you would comment.

Not a big deal, really. 

Do you know Bill Large would have added the front and rear sights? Or would theses have been added by the customer?

The sights were added by the customer usually. Bill sometimes would mount a barrel
in an original Springfield to test it and then when he sold the barrel the sights were still on it.
I have installed them on a few Enfields myself but it was very few.

Bob Roller

[bones92]

Looks like this one has been solved.    I thought some of you might find this interesting.

I posted the same question on the N-SSA site.   Someone suspected the "15EO" might refer to Ed Occi, member of the 15th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

Another member called Mr. Occi, and it seems the this was put together by him.  This is the reply from another N-SSA forum member...

"Ed doesn't do email or BB. Doesn't want his tel. number shared. Here is the full story. Back around 1963 they bought fifteen Large Zouave barrels. There were two left and Ed took them and made them up. He sold one, still has one, definitely. He cant remember who he sold the other gun to, it was so long ago. Mystery solved. He marked both guns. You have one. Hope this helps."

[Dphariss]

Just don't shoot replica powders in the rifle....