Zouave Nipple and Wrench size question and barrel question

[1-12 Inf (M)]

I recently bought an 1863 Remington Contract "Zouave" rifle (mfg. by Ranson, in Italy), and am buying some accessories for it - but have been unable to find exactly what size nipples it uses so I may buy a spare, and a wrench. 

I bought one nipple wrench, but it's the wrong size - too small.  I'm now learning that nipples come in different sizes and threads.

#11 caps are too small to fit on this nipple.  Are 'musket caps' larger?

Can someone point me in the right direction for a wrench, what size nipple this rifle has?

Also - about 4" or so of the breech area of the barrel is a different color, it looks to have been made in 2 parts.  Is this rifle safe to shoot?  Are all the Zouaves that way (Zoli, Pedersoli, etc.)  Is there anything particularly good or bad about a Ranson?

Thanks.

[necchi]

 Many of the catalog supply houses carry items for the remington zouave, here's a link for one of them, you can cruise all over the site for bp related stuff, if you have trouble finding what you want go to the "contact us" page and e-mail or call them. I live near Track of the Wolf, I know them and the shop. you will get personal service.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(nmpv2y55cenfmq3p31gmte55))/Search.aspx?Search=MMS-S

 I don't know anything about "Ranson, in Italy". Perhaps a photo of your different colored breech/barrel area could help?

 And yes, musket cap's usually fit on zouvae's and they are way bigger 

[longcaribiner]

there was a manufacturer thirty years ago that made three piece barrels.  About 4 inches of the breech screwed onto a threaded piece that in turn was screwed into the rest of the barrel,  I have one of these barrels and never fired it.  However, some were made with breech  plugs that contained the welded bolster and threaded into the barrel much like a patent breech does.  With out examining the gun in person, there's no way for me to tell.  Get it checked by a black powder gun smith to be sure. 

The ones made with the three piece barrels had a noticeable bump sensation when pushing a cleaning patch up and down on a 58 cal jag,  The bump would be felt about 3 inches from the breech face.

I have a Zoli Zouave marked Sears Roebuck on the trigger guard and it came with two nipples.  A musket nipple and another that uses No 11 caps.  Musket caps are almost large enough to fit a standard pencil eraser.

[hawkeye2]

       Ranson was an importer, not a manufacturer, probably late 60s, early 70s.  It should be safe if in good condition.  They were approved for use in the N-SSA.  Never heard of a 2 piece Ranson bbl., should be just like a Zoli or most other Italian muskets.  The nipple should be 1/4" across the flats and is most likely an 8 x ?.?? metric thread and is for musket caps.  Replacement nipples should be easy to find and you can get one that uses #11 caps if you wish.  No change to the hammer.