Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Prussian Dreyse Model 1855 Zündnadelkarabiner needle fire cavalry carbine manufactured by N. Dreyse of Sömmerda and dated 1857. It is extensively matching with serial number 595 on the receiver, barrel, bolt, firing pin holder, and other major components, with shortened number 95 appearing on numerous fittings and screws. The brass buttplate is marked G. H. 3. 130., indicating issue to the Garde-Husaren-Regiment, 3rd Squadron, weapon number 130.

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 military breechloading developments of the 19th century. Adopted by Prussia before most European armies had moved away from muzzleloaders, the system used a paper cartridge ignited by a long needle projecting through the cartridge to reach the primer. Dreyse arms remained in Prussian and German service through the Austro-Prussian War and Franco-Prussian War before being superseded by the metallic cartridge Mauser Model 1871.

This is a very nice example of a Zündnadelkarabiner M/55 (Needle Fire Carbine Model 1855). It is marked clearly on the rear left facets of the receiver with the maker and model information:

Soemmerda N.D.

Mod:55

This indicates manufacture by Nikolaus von Dreyse's factory in Sömmerda, Germany, and there is an 1857 date on the top right of the receiver. 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 595 on the receiver, barrel, bolt, firing pin holder, and other components, with shortened number 95 on many of the fittings and screws. There is a CROWN / C proof on the barrel nocks form above a CROWN / FW proof for Prussian King Wilhelm I, who would later become the first Kaiser of the German Empire.

The brass butt plate of the carbine also has a marking, which in this case looks to be a Prussian regiment marking:

G. H. 3. 130. 

This indicates issue to the Garde-Husaren-Regiment, 3rd Squadron, 130th Weapon. This regiment was founded in 1815 from the Guard Hussar Squadron of the Light Guard Cavalry Regiment. This was an elite and prestigious unit of the Prussian army, responsible directly to the Prussian King and later German Kaiser. It would be renamed as the Leib-Garde-Husaren-Regiment by Wilhelm II in 1888, so this marking is completely correct for the era, and exactly the type of unit that would have been issued this carbine.

The metalwork retains an attractive aged gray patina from its original bright steel finish. There are scattered areas of old peppering and oxidation, but no evidence of aggressive modern polishing or refinishing is noted. The overall surface presents as naturally aged military metalwork.

The rear sight is the simple two leaf type appropriate to the carbine configuration. At the front of the brass trigger guard is the characteristic large slotted stud screw used to facilitate disassembly.

At the rear of the trigger guard tang is a ringed mounting point fitted with a larger secondary ring for attachment to a mounted service sling. This double ring arrangement is consistent with other cavalry carbine examples.

The bolt can be removed from the receiver, though the trigger must be drawn unusually far rearward during removal, as required by the design. The firing needle remains present and projects approximately 3/4" beyond the front edge of the bolt face cup when moved forward, with a tapered point still visible.

The action cycles and releases with a crisp dry fire, and the firing pin holder retracts correctly. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the carbine is safe to load or fire.

The bore is in very good condition with a mostly bright appearance and strong lands and grooves. Evidence of past oxidation and fouling remains visible in areas but appears to have been largely cleaned away.

The stock remains in very good condition with scattered dents, dings, and handling marks from service but no major cracks, repairs, or structural damage. The original inspection cartouches remain largely visible on the right side of the butt stock, while the cheekpiece on the left shows attractive figuring in the grain.

Overall condition is very good, with extensive matching serial number 595, intact firing needle, original military unit marking, strong bore, complete cavalry sling ring arrangement, and well preserved stock. The principal condition points are normal service wear, scattered oxidation and peppering, and expected dents and handling marks to the wood.

With its 1857 date, Soemmerda N.D. / Mod:55 receiver marking, matching serial number 595, Garde-Husaren-Regiment buttplate marking, intact needle, and complete cavalry configuration, this is a particularly well identified example of the Prussian Dreyse Model 1855 needle fire carbine. It would fit especially well in a Dreyse, Prussian cavalry, Garde-Husaren, German unification era, or advanced 19th century military arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1857
Maker: Nikolaus von Dreyse
Model: 1855 Zündnadel Carbine
Serial No.: 595
Caliber: 15.4mm Dreyse
Cartridge Type: Needlefire Cartridge - Lead bullet in Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 15 inches
Overall Length: 31 5/8 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).

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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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