The ZULU shotgun, catchy trade names 1880s

[kahnjar1]

Similar action was the British Snider breech which was used by the British army. Cal for that was.577. Many of these still exist in collecters hands today and come up quite often in local auctions. They are still used in competition black powder shoots. I have shot these myself in the past.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks Stu, in reading up on this I noticed that .577 which brought to mind the conversions of 1853 Enfields from muzzle to breech loaders in 1866.

The Tabatier system was similar of course and used by the French converting Minie rifles in 1864 to breech loading, by 1870 some 358,000 were converted.
It seems unclear on the make of French muskets being converted as not only Minies were involved.

My interest in the SNIDER ENFIELD noted came from my study of the paramilitary unit in Khyber Pass in Afghanistan of c. 1880s known as the Khyber Rifles (formerly Khyber Jezailchis). These forces aligned as levees for the British army were armed with the Snider-Enfields until 1880s when the Martini-Henry began replacing them.

I think the reason the French muskets ended up being the rifles converted to these Zulu shotguns over the Sniders for example was likely the steady use of the rifles deemed obsolete being used in India/Afghanistan by Great Britain.

In further notes on the ZULU shotguns, it is noted that Schyler Hartley & Graham of Omaha were among retailers receiving these in latter 19th c. and several entries in forum discussions mention their grandparents etc in midwest towns all having and using these.

Regarding shooting these Zulu shotguns, it seems most are considered pretty well used up.......and NOT to fire them, even with black powder. It seems their value is pretty much minimal so the hundred bucks I spent wasnt bad.
Still some fun history !!

Thank you so much for the entry Stu!


First pic is the Tabatiere system; next the Snider-Enfield.......I cant tell the difference....even with my 'vast' (LOL) knowledge of guns.
My Snider-Enfield, and the Khyber Rifles misc. all from the mid 50s movie "King of the Khyber Rifles",I saw as a kid, and 'what the heck is a Khyber Rifle?' set me on the quest, for the next 50 years

[kahnjar1]

I should add that there are many Snider rifles of different models circulating here in collecters hands and regular competitions among collecters who also shoot antique guns are held specifically for these. Ammunition to suit is hand loaded using brass cases. Original cases were of course paper. Safety is of course paramount so those guns used are well checked before use. Many years ago I did have a barrel bust when shooting one, but am relieved to say that there were no injuries sustained except to the weapon itself.
Stu

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

I should add that there are many Snider rifles of different models circulating here in collecters hands and regular competitions among collecters who also shoot antique guns are held specifically for these. Ammunition to suit is hand loaded using brass cases. Original cases were of course paper. Safety is of course paramount so those guns used are well checked before use. Many years ago I did have a barrel bust when shooting one, but am relieved to say that there were no injuries sustained except to the weapon itself.
Stu

I wonder if the caveat on the Zulu's might be due to the boring out of the barrels to smooth bore, in addition to the rather lax maintenance likely with these cheap old guns.
As you note with Sniders and most of these regulation arms there does seem to be notable variation through the years, which would I presume call for equally varied ammunition.
Jim

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I wonder if the caveat on the Zulu's might be due to the boring out of the barrels to smooth bore, in addition to the rather lax maintenance likely with these cheap old guns.
As you note with Sniders and most of these regulation arms there does seem to be notable variation through the years, which would I presume call for equally varied ammunition.
Jim

The quality or lack of would no doubt depend on who did the boring of the barrel! Also I would imagine that if the boring was done by some local "gunsmith" then there would probably be some risk. Then one would need to consider how much powder was put in the charge. Again if local use, I would doubt that the powder measure would be a that accurate!
As far as snider calibers are concerned, most if not all I have seen have been .577.
Stu