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Winning Bid US $291 First bid $50 Quantity 1 # of bids 21 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-07-28 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

French/Belgium, Model: Zulu shotgun, converted MLE 1867 Tabieve rifle, Cal: 12 Ga Black powder only, MFG: 1840s-50s Muzzleloader, 1860s-70s Cartridge conversion, 1880s-1900 shotgun conversion, S/N: D 56, Single shot breech loader, 33 1/8'' barrel.

HISTORY: This started life as a French made Muzzleloader, either a MLE 1842 or a MLE 1853/57. It was then upgraded with the Tabariere breech loading system. invented in 1864, roughly 358,000 rifles had been converted by July of 1870, in time for the Franco-Prussian war where they were used by second line troops or in defensive roles since this weapon system was inferior to the Chassepot rifle. After the war they were sold to Belgium who converted them into very cheap shotguns, known today as ZULU guns. This was done in the late 1870s to the 1900s. large numbers of these would be bought by US importing companies & sold on the US hunting market as a cheaper alternative than the US made shotguns. Sometimes there were marked with trade names of ''ZULU'', or ''HUNTER''. These shotguns would cost 3-5 bucks where a US made pump action shotguns costed 15-20 bucks.

CONDITION: The original French military, straight wrist wood stock is very good as being cut down, sanded & re-finished. Stock has some nicks, dings, & scratches from use. Two small gouges on left cheek. The right cheek still has the box wood plug, this was a French ownership mark when it was in French service. The ramrod channel in the forend has a wood fill. The metal is a mix of brown patina, gun metal gray & wiped on cold blue. Roughness/cleaned pitting around the breech. Lock plate has two French proofs & faint remains of the French model number that was buffed away when it was converted in Belgium. Breech block is marked with Belgium proofs, the S/N, & a assortment of part/assembly numbers. The chamber is stamped with more Belgium proofs. The top of the barrel is marked ''ZULU'' in script. the buttplate, barrel band, trigger guard tang, & other original French parts have French proofs. The bore is Fair to poor. Beginning to darken with spots of roughness/pitting. Ther barrel holds a bead front sight. The stock carries a steel buttplate, toned brown with roughness. Shotgun has no sling mounts. Appears to mechanical function fine, These were only proofed for black powder, not modern smokeless. Shotgun should be inspected by a gunsmith before firing based on the nature of this firearm. Antique, No FFL Req - Value: 100 to 400

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Price

French/Belgium, Model: Zulu shotgun, converted MLE 1867 Tabieve ... Item # 4468 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $291

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