Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German Dreyse Model 1862 Zündnadel needle fire short rifle manufactured by N. Dreyse of Sömmerda and dated 1863. It is an unusual two band artillery style short rifle configuration and is extensively matching with serial number 93 on the receiver, barrel, bolt, firing pin holder, numerous fittings and screws, and even the cleaning rod. The rifle retains its correct short cleaning rod, two leaf rear sight, sling swivels, attractive figured stock, and an excellent bore.

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 one of the most important early military breechloading designs of the 19th century. Adopted by Prussia before most European armies had moved away from muzzleloading arms, the system used a paper cartridge ignited by a long needle projecting through the cartridge to reach the primer. Dreyse rifles saw extensive service with Prussian and other German forces through the mid 19th century, including the Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War.

This example is marked on the rear left side of the receiver:

N. Dreyse Soemmerda
1863
m/62

identifying manufacture at the Dreyse works in Sömmerda in 1863 and marking it as the Model 1862 pattern.

The rifle is extensively matching, with serial number:

93

appearing on the receiver, barrel, bolt, firing pin holder, numerous fittings and screws, and the cleaning rod. Several components are additionally marked with the letter C, while the left side of the barrel breech carries a Crown / C inspection or proof marking.

The rifle is configured as a two band short rifle rather than the more commonly encountered full length infantry pattern. It retains a simple two leaf rear sight appropriate to the shorter barrel and has sling swivels mounted at the nose cap and trigger guard. The cleaning rod is also of the correct short length and is numbered 93, with a ridged cleaning tool or jag at its smaller end.

The metalwork appears originally to have been finished bright and now shows an attractive aged steel patina. Much of the surface remains relatively clean, though there is scattered staining and peppery oxidation, particularly along the upper surface of the barrel. This oxidation has been left largely undisturbed rather than aggressively cleaned.

The stock remains in very good condition and displays particularly attractive flame figuring through the grain. It shows scattered dents, dings, and handling marks consistent with military service but no major cracks, breaks, or repairs are noted.

The bolt can still be removed from the receiver, though the trigger must be drawn unusually far rearward during removal, consistent with the mechanism on this example. The action cycles and releases with a crisp dry fire, and the firing pin holder can be retracted correctly.

The needle itself cannot presently be confirmed. When the firing mechanism is moved forward, no needle projects beyond the front edge of the bolt face cup. It may be absent or broken, so no definitive statement is made regarding its presence.

The bore is in excellent condition with a bright appearance and crisp lands and grooves. It shows very little visible evidence of use, with only a small area of oxidation near the muzzle from past exposure.

Overall condition is very good, with extensively matching serial number 93, strong original configuration, figured stock, correct short cleaning rod, intact sights and swivels, and an excellent bore. The principal condition points are scattered barrel oxidation and staining, normal stock dents and dings, and the uncertain presence or condition of the firing needle.

With its 1863 date, N. Dreyse Sömmerda marking, m/62 designation, unusual two band short rifle configuration, extensively matching serial number 93, figured stock, and excellent bore, this is a particularly interesting example of the Dreyse needle fire system. It would fit especially well in a Dreyse, Prussian military rifle, German unification era, early breechloading, or advanced 19th century military arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Maker: Nikolaus von Dreyse
Model: 1862 Zündnadel Artillery Short Rifle
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
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

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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.