Original Item: Only One Available. These are really hard to find! In 1836 JOHANN NIKOLAUS VON DREYSE designed this breech loading cartridge system while the rest of the world were still using muzzleloaders. These were called Zündnadelgewehr, which translates roughly as "ignition needle rifle". These were adopted by the Prussian Military in 1841, and called the leichtes Perkussionsgewehr Modell 1841 ("light percussion rifle Model 1841"), with the name chosen to hide the revolutionary nature of the new weapon.

Its first notable service was in the May uprisings in Dresden in 1849. Taking a 15.4mm paper cartridge ignited by a needle projecting from the front of the bolt, the barrel on these is heavily rifled to engage the cartridge. The system was so revolutionary that it was observed that in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, a Prussian Infantryman could fire five rounds from a prone position in the time it took an Austrian Infantryman to discharge one round from a standing position.

The Zündnadel saw service up through the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, when the Prussians were quickly victorious despite the French Chassepot Needle fire Rifle introduced in 1866, which was considered a far superior weapon. It was this action that brought the German Empire together in 1871, and by this time the Needle Rife rifles were in use by many other German states. The Dreyse Needle Fire was obsoleted in 1871 with the introduction of Paul Mauser's M1871 bolt action rifle which took what we would think of as conventional brass cased ammunition (10.4mm).

This is a very nice example of what we believe is a Model 1862 Zündnadelgewehr (Needle Fire Rifle), however it is a shorter "2-band" Artillery Short rifle, which we have unfortunately not been able to find much information on at all. It is marked clearly on the rear left of the receiver with the maker, date, and model information:

N. Dreyse Soemmerda
1863
m/62

This indicates 1863 manufacture by Nikolaus von Dreyse's factory in Sömmerda, Germany. He started the factory together with his son Franz, and apparently some years after inventing the Needle-fire system, dropped the "Johann" from the front of his name. There is also serial number 105 on the receiver, barrel, bolt, firing pin holder, and other components, with shortened number 5 on many of the fittings and screws. It also has the letter C stamped on some fittings, and also on the cleaning rod, which is the correct length it should be for a short rifle, and even has a ridged cleaning tool on the small end.

The metalwork of the rifle still retains strong bluing on the fittings and barrel, while the receiver and bolt are bright steel, which shows some staining. The rear sight is a simple two leaf type, which is probably correct for this shorter barrel. It also correctly has a sling swivel on the nose cap and trigger guard, correct for the short rifle, like the long rifle would have the swivel on the middle barrel band. The stock is in lovely shape, showing some dents and dings from service, but no major damage. It also is made from lovely flame figured wood, which is highly attractive.

The bolt can still be removed from the rifle, though the trigger must be pulled back VERY far, as is correct. We checked the needle, and it still protrudes about 7/8" from the front edge of the bolt face cup when moved forward, however we do not know if it is full length. The rifle cycles relatively well, with a crisp dry fire, and the firing pin holder can be retracted properly as well. We checked the bore, and it is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. It shows very little sign of ever having been used, and there is just a bit of oxidation right by the muzzle from exposure.

These are incredibly rare, and this is the first example we have had of this m/62 Short Rifle type. From looking around these are very seldom encountered. A rare example of a revolutionary firing system, ready to display.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: 15.4mm Dreyse
Cartridge Type: Needlefire Cartridge - Lead bullet in Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 inches
Overall Length: 45 1/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action Needle Fire
Feed System: Single Shot

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