Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original 19th century German sporting rifle built around a Dreyse style Zündnadel, or needle fire, breechloading action. Measuring approximately 42" overall, it combines an approximately 11mm rifled bore, heavy 24" octagonal barrel, double set trigger, distinctive broad rear cocking lever, engraved action, half stock, cheekpiece, and sporting sights. No maker markings are presently visible, so it is best described as a German Dreyse system sporting rifle rather than attributed to the Dreyse factory itself.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Dreyse needle fire system was developed during the first half of the 19th century and became one of the most important early military breechloading systems. In military form, the action used a long firing needle that traveled forward through the paper cartridge to ignite the primer. The Prussian Army adopted the system before the middle of the century, and variations of the design subsequently influenced both military and sporting firearms throughout the German states.

This rifle is considerably smaller and more refined than the standard military Dreyse infantry arms. It measures approximately 42" overall and has a heavy 24" octagonal barrel with a bore diameter of approximately 11mm. Its dimensions, sporting stock, extensive engraving, set trigger, and sight configuration all point toward civilian hunting or target use rather than an unaltered military rifle.

No maker or retailer marking was located during inspection. The action and surrounding components are, however, extensively ornamented with fine scroll and acanthus decoration in a banknote style treatment. The overall quality suggests a well finished sporting arm produced for a private customer, though without a signature the exact maker cannot presently be identified.

The half stock has a pronounced cheekpiece and terminates at the fore end in a light colored bone or horn type nose cap. Beneath the barrel is a wooden ramrod with a brass tip and a slotted opposite end for holding a cleaning patch. A rear sling swivel remains present, while the forward position retains only its mounting bolster, suggesting the front swivel is missing.

The action uses a large flat spatulate cocking lever at the rear of the receiver. To load the rifle, the bolt is drawn open, a cartridge is inserted into the chamber, and the bolt is pushed forward and rotated to lock. The rear lever is then drawn back to cock the needle mechanism. A smaller lever beneath the main handle allows the mechanism to be eased forward in a controlled manner.

The rifle is fitted with a double set trigger arrangement. The rear trigger is used to set the mechanism, after which the front trigger releases it with a very light pull. This is a traditional sporting and target rifle feature intended to permit a more precise trigger release. The presence of a set trigger should not be interpreted as a substitute for a mechanical safety, and the rifle should be handled as an antique arm with an unverified action.

The broad rear cocking lever and overall action layout are strongly reminiscent of Dreyse family needle fire mechanisms. Certain military Dreyse rifles, including the Jägerbüchse M/65, used a similarly broad paddle shaped rear lever and set trigger arrangement. This example is not an unaltered military M/65, however, as its approximately 11mm bore, 24" octagonal barrel, 42" overall length, half stock, decorative engraving, and sporting furniture differ substantially from the military pattern.

The approximately 11mm bore is also consistent with the existence of commercial German sporting arms built around Dreyse derived actions in smaller calibers than the standard military needle rifles. Without visible maker markings or a surviving cartridge designation, however, the exact original chambering and manufacturer should remain open.

Overall condition is excellent for a 19th century sporting rifle. The metalwork retains a substantial amount of finish, while the engraved decoration remains well defined. The stock is also very well preserved, showing only minor dents, scratches, and handling marks. No major cracks, structural repairs, or significant metal damage are noted.

With its Dreyse style needle fire action, distinctive broad rear cocking lever, approximately 11mm bore, heavy octagonal sporting barrel, double set trigger, engraved receiver, half stock, cheekpiece, and excellent overall preservation, this is a compelling example of German experimentation with needle fire technology outside the standard military patterns. The lack of visible maker markings, uncertain exact cartridge designation, and missing forward sling swivel are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Dreyse system, German sporting rifle, needle fire firearm, early breechloader, or advanced 19th century arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1865-1875
Caliber: 11mm Dreyse
Cartridge Type: Needlefire Cartridge - Lead bullet in Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 inches
Overall Length: 42 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action Needle Fire with Cocking Lever and Set Trigger
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

More on the Dreyse Needle Fire System:
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).

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to posses, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in live condition. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.