Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of a scarce Grand Duchy of Baden Gendarmeriegewehr M/1873, one of the final developments of the famous Dreyse Zündnadel or needle fire system. Manufactured at Suhl by Spangenberg & Sauer and dated 1873, this example is serial number 213 and retains numerous matching numbered components, strong traces of its original blued finish, attractive brass furniture, and an especially fine bore. Produced at a fascinating transitional moment when the German states were moving away from the revolutionary Dreyse system and toward the metallic cartridge Mauser Model 1871, the Baden Gendarmerie M/1873 represents one of the last official applications of the needle fire principle.

Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse developed his breech loading needle fire cartridge system during the 1830s, at a time when muzzle loading arms still predominated throughout Europe. The resulting Zündnadelgewehr, literally "ignition needle rifle," used a long firing needle projecting forward through the bolt to ignite the primer within a combustible paper cartridge. Prussia adopted the system as the Modell 1841, initially using the deliberately inconspicuous designation leichtes Perkussionsgewehr Modell 1841, or "light percussion rifle Model 1841," to obscure the revolutionary nature of the new breech loading arm.

The Dreyse system first saw notable service during the revolutionary disturbances of 1849 and later demonstrated the enormous tactical advantage of a breech loading infantry rifle during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Unlike a muzzleloader, the Dreyse could be loaded and fired while the soldier remained prone, allowing a substantially greater practical rate of fire. The system remained in German service through the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, although by then the French Chassepot needle fire rifle of 1866 represented a more advanced competing design. The war culminated in German unification and the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871, by which point versions of the Dreyse system were in service with a number of German states.

The adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge bolt action rifle marked the beginning of the end for the Dreyse as a primary military arm. The Baden Gendarmerie, however, still received its purpose built needle fire rifle in 1873. Surviving procurement research indicates that the original contract for 500 Gendarmerie needle fire rifles had actually been placed with the Suhl consortium of Spangenberg & Sauer and C. G. Hänel in 1869. The Franco-Prussian War and subsequent administrative changes delayed fulfillment, and the contract was ultimately confirmed again in 1872, with the rifles entering Baden Gendarmerie service during 1873. Prussian inspectors performed the official inspection of these arms, explaining the presence of Prussian acceptance markings rather than Baden inspection stamps.

This Gendarmeriegewehr M/1873 uses a shortened Dreyse action derived from that of the Zündnadelkarabiner M/57, but incorporates an air chamber and omits the M/57 safety notch. It is fitted with the characteristic simple folding rear sight, two screwed iron barrel bands, brass trigger guard and forward furniture, and, importantly, a bayonet bar on the right side near the muzzle intended for a yataghan type sword bayonet. These are all documented characteristics of the Baden Gendarmerie M/1873. The rifle measures 41 1/8" overall with a 23.1" barrel measured from the muzzle to the front of the receiver, and sling swivels are present on the upper barrel band and underside of the butt stock.

The top front of the receiver is marked:

Suhl

The rear right side of the receiver bears the following marking in German Blackletter type:

Sn&S 1873

This identifies the rifle as a Suhl manufactured arm dated 1873 and made by Spangenberg & Sauer. The Spangenberg & Sauer concern was an important Suhl military arms manufacturer closely connected with the Sauer gunmaking family. The Sauer business would continue under the Johann Paul Sauer name, with J. P. Sauer & Sohn becoming one of Germany's best known firearms manufacturers.

This rifle also bears Prussian inspection or acceptance markings, entirely consistent with documented Baden M/1873 production even though the rifles were intended for Baden service. Serial number 213 appears on the left side of the barrel, left front of the receiver, bolt handle, bolt body, and firing pin holder. Many of the screws are additionally marked with the abbreviated serial number:

13

The extent of matching numbered components is an especially desirable feature on an arm of this age and type.

The metalwork remains in very good condition overall. The barrel and receiver retain relatively strong original bluing, with much of the barrel fading toward an attractive plum coloration. The bolt was originally finished bright and retains that appearance well, although exposed areas including the bolt and firing pin holder show oxidation staining. The brass trigger guard, butt plate, and nose cap have developed a pleasing golden patina. We did note a repaired crack in the trigger guard surrounding the middle screw hole.

The stock is likewise in very good condition, displaying a lovely dark honey coloration together with the expected dents, scratches, and handling wear accumulated through age and long service. We do not see any past stock repairs or other major damage.

Mechanically, the bolt can still be removed from the rifle, although the trigger must be pulled back VERY far, as is correct for the design. We inspected the needle and found that it does not protrude at all, so we cannot confirm whether the needle itself is broken or missing entirely. The rifle cycles relatively well and gives a crisp dry fire, while the firing pin holder can also be retracted properly.

Particularly impressive is the bore, which is in excellent condition, retaining a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. It shows very little evidence of having been extensively used.

With its clearly dated Sn&S 1873 receiver marking, Suhl marking, matching serial number 213 across numerous major components, Prussian inspection marks, characteristic Baden Gendarmerie configuration, surviving blue and bright finishes, attractive brass furniture, and exceptionally fine bore, this is a particularly appealing example of one of the last purpose built Dreyse needle fire arms. It would make an excellent addition to an advanced German states firearms collection, a Dreyse or early bolt action collection, a Grand Duchy of Baden display, or a collection illustrating the rapid transition from combustible paper cartridge arms to the metallic cartridge military rifles of the late 19th century

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1873
Maker: Spangenberg & Sauer of Suhl
Model: 1873 Zündnadel Gendarmerie Rifle
Serial No.: 93
Caliber: 15.4mm Dreyse
Cartridge Type: Needlefire Cartridge - Lead bullet in Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 586 mm (23.1 inches)
Overall Length: 1054 mm (41.5 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.

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.