Antonio Zoli Zouave or Parker-Hale 1858 2 Band Enfield?

[Darth AkSarBen]

If you were getting a 58 caliber for shooting, knowing that the Zouave has a 1:48 twist barrel (Zoli) and generally well made, OR a Parker-Hale 2 band Enfield 1858.... which actually has the edge for accuracy? I have seen both but the PH seems to have their sights quite a bit forward, which gives you less distance between front and rear sights.

Never shot either, but just curious as to the twist etc of the ParkerHale rifle. Both are 33" barrels, and both are 2 band rifles. .... Thoughts??

 

[Venom007]

Pedersoli:

https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/sc...-enfield-2-band-pattern-1858-naval-rifle.html

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'll take the Parker Hale 2 band Enfield. The short 2 band Enfields were reserved for use by the Confederate sharpshooters (skirmisher is a more accurate and descriptive word) in both the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of Tennessee.

 

[John L Venable]

But what Parker Hale, an original British Made or Copy? a 2nd Gen Italian assembled, or third Italian manufactured.
The two band is sometimes referred to as the Naval or Artillery Model, there was also a 24" Musketoon. The two band is considered a very accurate rifle. I have a Pedersoli, if I got a PH, i would seek original Birmingham manufacture.

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

But what Parker Hale, an original British Made or Copy? a 2nd Gen Italian assembled, or third Italian manufactured.

Replica, but the barrel says Birmingham England.

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

Also, I did stumble across a completed (sold) Parker Hale 1858 Enfield , early one, that listed the rifling twist as 1:48, the same as my Armisport P1853 Enfield. I personally like faster twists on 'other than round ball' as I think it makes a difference in their flight stability/accuracy.

Below is today's shooting experiment. My 3 band Enfield was shooting high and left... way left at 100 yards. So I drilled and tapped a 6-32 hole on the left side of the sight and removed some material on the sight part that flips up (did it on the right) then I was able to use the set screw to adjust the sight further to the right. First shot was on the 9 ring, but I was aiming actually at the number "8" Saw the hole and adjusted the sight more to the right using the set screw and shot 2 more times, which were the ones on the 8 ring above the bulls eye. Looked through the binoculars at the target and saw the hole on the 8 ring above the center and did another shot that pretty much ended in the same hole. That funny looking hole above the bulls eye is actually 2 bullets nearly in the same hole. I left the sight right there where it's at. Hoping I can get either a Zouave or a P-H to be able to do better.

For clarity, the tapped hole is on the front outside of the sight (left side) and the material taken off was off that center part that you can flip up (to give clearance) so I could move the center V a little further to the right.

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

John, this link.... is it not made in England? https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...oduct_name/PR0521B+PARKER+HALE+ENFIELD+2+BAND

 

[Mike OTDP]

John, this link.... is it not made in England? https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...oduct_name/PR0521B+PARKER+HALE+ENFIELD+2+BAND

No. Check the write-up at the bottom, it's an Italian gun.

The British-made Enfields will have UK proof marks on them. A crown over the letters BP, IIRC. Should be on the tang.

Now, back to the OP...If you can find a British-made Enfield P'58 in good shape, it's an outstanding rifle. I'd take it over the Zoli.

 

[792mauser]

I've got a Parker Hale 2 band, a PH 3 band & a zoli zouave.
I'll recommend the 2 band. It's a better fit for me and a bit more accurate as well

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

Bought a Parker Hale 1858 Enfield on Gunbroker last Sunday. Now is shipped. Just waiting for it to arrive. It has the CROWN over the BP on the top of the barrel. Hoping the serial number is low enough to be a complete made English Parker-Hale.

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

Came Monday. Shot it Tuesday. Very surprised (pleased) as to it's accuracy for a BP rifle made as a reproduction in 1974 SN of 1137 and code on bottom of the barrel was identified by David as being proofed in 1974. My oldest Daughter was born in July of 1974. Should I post pics of the target?

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

Shot one fouling shot and then proceeded to shoot the target..... unaware that the first shot raised the rear sight ever so slight. Loose screw on the center ladder rail, so in consequently shots (from the recoil) I made sure the sight was in the "right" position for 100 yards. First 2 of this were with the rear sight not at the 100 yard mark. Last 2 are a bit lower.

Second target was with the 510 gr Lyman mold and it and the one above (old style) were sized to .576 before hand (for my P1853 Enfield Tower). Lubed up 3 bullet with lard and laid on the bench. shot 3 times, but at first only looked like 2 had hit. Since I used this bulls-eye target attached to a "man" silhouette I was able ot confirm that no other shots fell outside of the paper bulls-eye target. For a BP rifle made in 1974 it seems to have not been neglected in it's shooting and care over the years.