Colt Country | Home of The Almighty Colt

Long Guns => Single Shot Black Powder Rifles => Trapdoor Rifles => Topic started by: ShotgunDave on July 27, 2020, 05:13:21 PM

Title: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: ShotgunDave on July 27, 2020, 05:13:21 PM
You guys are the one's to ask about this. My sister in law has come into possession of a bunch of old guns. Her neighbor's husband passed on, and his wife gave all of his guns to her. I'll post the other guns in a separate post, because a few of them are mysteries to me as well.

Here are the pictures. The only thing I see is a Belgian looking proof mark. She said there's no other markings on the gun.

This thing is weird to me. It appears to be some sort of "Trapdoor" for breechloading. But it's like nothing I've seen before. I hope you guys can help me clear up the mystery.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50161191282_b849e03bc5_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160943931_dcd49fb7c1_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160943921_a379c3e1c7_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160398843_d313b2ec28_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160398803_20ba1fa969_z.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50160943836_1f91f7d611_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: Hawg on July 27, 2020, 06:43:18 PM
It's a French Tabatière converted to a shotgun in Belgium. Some were rifled but most are smooth bores.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: mazo kid on July 27, 2020, 06:48:31 PM
I should have know Hawg would come through for you. I have seen pictures before, but couldn't ID the gun.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: Hawg on July 27, 2020, 07:07:50 PM
I should have know Hawg would come through for you. I have seen pictures before, but couldn't ID the gun.

Look up Zulu shotgun.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: ShotgunDave on July 27, 2020, 07:26:48 PM
Thanks fellas. I knew you'd be able to tell me what it was.

It isn't in too good of shape, but she wants to give it to me. So I will gladly take it and let you all know how it actually is when I have it in hand.

I'm going to post the pictures of the other guns she got in a minute. Wait until you see............

There's a few in there that I need help with too. Including a group of revolvers that I'm unsure about.


Thanks again for the help.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: mazo kid on July 27, 2020, 07:28:14 PM
I have had 3 Zulu "shotguns" (still have one clunker) but couldn't ID this gun?
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: ShotgunDave on July 27, 2020, 07:29:17 PM
I have had 3 Zulu "shotguns" (still have one clunker) but couldn't ID this gun?


How do they shoot Em?
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: Hawg on July 27, 2020, 11:15:27 PM
It's based on a Snider conversion. Open it up, slide in a shell, close it up, cock the hammer, pull the trigger. Most of the ones I've seen were just held shut with a detent and the action would open just by turning them upside down.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: ShotgunDave on July 28, 2020, 10:14:47 AM
It's based on a Snider conversion. Open it up, slide in a shell, close it up, cock the hammer, pull the trigger. Most of the ones I've seen were just held shut with a detent and the action would open just by turning them upside down.

That doesn't sound like fun Hawg!
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: Hawg on July 28, 2020, 12:58:11 PM
It's based on a Snider conversion. Open it up, slide in a shell, close it up, cock the hammer, pull the trigger. Most of the ones I've seen were just held shut with a detent and the action would open just by turning them upside down.

That doesn't sound like fun Hawg!

Probably a fairly easy fix. Probably just a broken detent spring. I've looked at a few but never felt the urge buy one.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: mazo kid on July 28, 2020, 01:26:32 PM
Does this one have the little hole in the right hand buttstock? The "Zulu" conversions were the only guns the African natives could legally own then. The buttstock hole supposedly was for Holy Water from when the Pope blessed the gun.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: ShotgunDave on July 28, 2020, 01:30:42 PM
I'll have to find out Em. Those are all the pictures she sent me, and of course there's no picture of the right side.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: ShotgunDave on July 28, 2020, 07:57:25 PM
Say Dave, I have a couple of them in good shape. They are both shooters and have taken Turkey, Grouse, and Quail. I use the same brass hulls that you do loaded up with black powder.

That's good to know Scoob. I'll likely end up with this one. If it's shootable, I'll definitely be shooting it.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: toot on December 10, 2020, 10:52:50 AM
I have one MKD' ON TOP of barrel- ZULU. and it is in 12 gauge. I shoot 12 gauge brass MAG TECH BRASS HULLS in it. they are 12 gauge shotguns, sent to AFRIKA for the natives to use as shot guns.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: mazo kid on December 10, 2020, 11:33:41 AM
I had 2 Zulu guns in the past. I sold the first one, then got another. Before I even shot it a guy wanted it. The one I have now, I got thrown in with another gun i bought. I haven't looked at it in a while, but think it had a minor part missing. It's in 12 ga. also.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: mazo kid on December 10, 2020, 03:03:19 PM
I will post pictures of mine ASAP, on the ScatterGun thread.
Title: Re: Mystery Trapdoor please help identify
Post by: mazo kid on December 10, 2020, 03:22:32 PM
Oh, and Snider made a similar conversion of the Enfield muskets