"I found some vague info on the net mentioning use of Gras and early Mauser rifles by "Papal Zouaves" or "zouaves canadiens" in 1920's.Some American sites credit them as source of those rifles in North America.Very interesting history ,if it is true."
Yes it is true, I posted that Info on Gunboards a long time ago, unfortunately they never quote me as the source. But here in Quebec, the Zouave connection is well known. The Quebec Zouaves used many types of rifles over their long history. The most common were the Gras 1871/80/14, the Swiss Vertelli 1869/71, the US Remington Rolling in 50-70 (Most of these assorted rifles were supposed to have been purchased from Bannerman's of New York, a large Surplus dealer active up to the late 1950's.) One of the last local units in Coaticook, QC even used some Lee-Enfield No.1 MKIII* in the early 1960's. A side note, the Gras 1874/80/14 is a fairly rare rifle, since most of the one left in French Service were destroyed during the Nazis Occupation after the French defeat of 1940.
- This is the first time i have ever heard of Papal Zouaves formations even if they served purely ceremonial role in Canada.I wonder whatever happened to them.
The Quebec Papal Zouaves came to be during the Italian uprising by Garibaldi, the Papal Lands were under attack and two Regiments were raised and were sent over to Italy to defend the Pope from the Revolutionnary Forces. The Regiments were armed with French Army rifle-muskets and participated in a number of Battles. After the War and the return of the Zouave Regiments to Quebec, it was decided that the Zouaves should be maintained across the Province in every Parish in case the Pope needed them again. Naturally, it became more a Social Organisation used mostly in Parade and Religious celebrations. It was for a time a very large organisation with training camps in the Summer, rivaling the Canadian Militia. The mouvement died out in the 1960's, but I know of at least one group still operating in Valleyfield, QC comprised of elderly Gentlemen working as Ushers in the local church at Sunday Services. A small Village near Lac Megantic, QC was founded by some returning Veterans of the Zouaves Regiments and it was named Piopolis (City of the Pope in honour of Pope Pius IX) to celebrate their Service to the Pope in his time of need. In a way, the Zouaves were probably the first 0rganised Canadians Troops to serve in Foreign Overseas War, before that most Canadians served or volontered on an Individual basis (Peninsular Campaign War of 1812 or US Civil War).
Photo of a Quebec Zouave Uniform circa 1950, Gras Model 1874 bayonet can be seen on the snake belt.
