"Zulu" Single Shot

[Grenadier]

I recently picked up one of these in very good condition but someone has bent the firing pin to prevent it from being fired. I was able to salvage the pin and straighten it but the retaining spring was also missing. Does anyone here have one that can show me that the correct spring looks like? I have no reason to believe that one could not fire this with low powered BP rounds. 

[rickk]

Not sure if he will have what you seek, but he sure does have a lot of old parts...

http://www.gunsnparts.com/


Rick

[Pettifogger]

The term "Zulu" shotgun just means a class of cheap, cobbled together single shot firearms made for the African trade.  They were made from French, Belgium, British  and other surplus military arms or cobbled together out of any cheap civilian guns that were avaiable.  You will need a much more detailed description of what you have and PHOTOS to have any chance to find what you are looking for.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have one in my custody for a buddy. It was made from the french version of the Snider conversion. The French soldier nicknamed it the "snuff box" (Tabatiere.)  The chamber & action seem too short for any commonly available shotshell. Most are not realy useable and have very little collectors value.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabati%C3%A8re_rifle

[Grenadier]

I have tried all of the normal sources and even some of the esoteric sources for obsolete gun parts. I was hoping someone on the forum would have access to one for photos and dimensions of the firing pin and spring. I am certain I could have one fabricated.

Pettifogger, I have never seen one made from a British musket, only French muskets. There's not much detailed required for what I need other than what I posted. I need to see a photo or dimensions of the firing pin mainly, I can take it from there. Can you provide a photo of a British musket converted to a "Zulu" shotgun, I would love to see one.



Thanks for the assistance gentlemen, I am not planning on firing it. I just hate having an incomplete firearm.

[Colt Fanning]

Hi,
Here are the measurements.
Dia at top of crown .382 in
Dia at bottom of crown .405 in
length of crown     .410
Dia of firing pin as it exits Breach Block  .150
This shotgun was acquired by my GGfather when he cane to Texas in the 1880's.  He used it to kill a turkey for thanksgiving.
Regards
Colt

[pony express]

There used to be a French website that had some parts, and complete parts diagrams for all the French military rifles, but he seems to have taken down that part of the website. The parts page is empty now.

[Grenadier]

Hi,
Here are the measurements.
Dia at top of crown .382 in
Dia at bottom of crown .405 in
length of crown     .410
Dia of firing pin as it exits Breach Block  .150
This shotgun was acquired by my GGfather when he cane to Texas in the 1880's.  He used it to kill a turkey for thanksgiving.
Regards
Colt

Thank you Colt. Could you please take a photo of the pin outside the breech? I would like to see how its notched for the spring and retaining screw.

[Colt Fanning]

Here is a photo of the retaining spring.  I can't get the screw out.
Regards
Colt

[Trader Dan]

You might try Lee's gun parts in Irning. http://www.leesgunparts.com/

I have also found a place called Jack First. He has gun parts for many different guns. This place is new to me.
https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopify.com/

[Blair]

Please, keep in mind that most of these arms were not built on an interchangeable concept. This also includes their modification into one of many breach loading systems.
You maybe able to find something close to what you want, but may not interchange with what you have.
My best,
Blair

[Trader Dan]

I wonder if you could take it to a good gunsmith and have one duplicated?

[Blair]

TD,

Yes. But. do you want to pay the price for something you don't plan on shooting? Especially when what you have is fine as is.
This may depend on the smith you chose or find?
My best,
Blair