Weapons

1861 Springfield Rifle

This was the issued rifle of the Burnsides

The Burnside Zouaves were issued the 1861 Springfield Rifle which was a .58 calibre weapon with rifling of 1 turn per 66 inches (the rifling turned the round as it was fired a gave the 1861 more accuracy at further distance), the 1861 has a one piece forged steel barrel with a one piece walnut stock. Its overall length is 56 inches and had three bands for extra strength with a leather sling (natural/tan).

1855 Springfield Bayonet w/Scabbard/Frog

This was the issued bayonet for the Burnside's rifle

The 1855 Springfield Bayonet was issued to the Burnsides to be attached to the muzzle end of the 1861 Springfield Rifle, the 1855 is a one piece forged steel tri-sided (one flat and two concaved) blade with a locking ring at the base. this ring locked the bayonet onto the front sight/bayonet lug of the Springfield Rifle. The bayonet is just over 21 inches long with a blade length of 18 inches. It's scabbard is made of leather and colored black with brass fittings and has an attached frog with rivots to hold it together.

Remington Model 1863 "Zouave" Rifle

While this weapon states "Zouave" in it's name it was never issued to the Burnside Zouaves

The Remington Model 1863 "Zouave" Rifle shown above was considered to be one of the favorite rifles of the soldiers in use during the American Civil War, but contrary to popular belief the Model 1863 was never issued to the Burnside Zouaves (although they were photographed with it). There is no documentation showing that any Zouave units were issued this weapon during the American Civil War. It is also a .58 Calibre rifle with rifling of 1 turn per 48 inches with a barrel length of 33 inches and an overall length of 49 inches. There were 12,501 Model 1863's made during the American Civil War.

1863 "Zouave" Sword Bayonet w/Scabbard

This is the Bayonet which attaches to the Model 1863

The "Zouave" Sword Bayonet is attached to the Remington Model 1863 "Zouave" Rifle at the muzzle end of the rifle. It is locked onto the bayonet lug/front sight by a spring locking device within the brass handle of the bayonet. The "Zouave" Sword Bayonet is a one piece forged steel blade with a solid brass handle, its blade length is 19.5 inches with an overall length of just over 24 inches. It's scabbard is made of leather colored black with brass fittings. It's frog is made of leather colored black with two loops to go on the waist belt, the scabbard slides into the frog and locks in with a brass knob on the upper fitting of the scabbard. Frog shown below.

Sword Bayonet Frog

The Burnside Zouaves Association of Rhode Isalnd

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If you know of any other men who served with the zouaves as part the 10th Reg RI Inf Co H. and have supporting documents please contact us.