The Dreyse needle-gun (German Zündnadelgewehr or figuratively "firing-pin rifle") was a military breechloading rifle, famous as the arm of the Prussians, who adopted it for service in 1848 as the Dreyse Zündnadelgewehr, or Prussian Model 1848. Its name comes from its 0.5-inch needle-like firing pin, which passed through the cartridge case to impact a percussion cap at the bullet base. The Dreyse rifle was also the first breech-loading rifle to use the bolt action to open and close the chamber, executed by turning and pulling a bolt handle. Flag of Prussia (1894 - 1918) The Kingdom of Prussia existed from 1701 until 1918, and from 1871 was the leading kingdom of the German Empire, comprising in its last form almost two-thirds of the area of the Empire. ... A rifle is a firearm that uses a spiral groove cut into the barrel to spin a projectile (usually a bullet), thus improving accuracy and range of the projectile. ... Rimmed, centerfire . ... In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation that the firearm employs to seal the breech (in a breech-loading firearm), and to load consecutive rounds. ... The Rate of fire is the speed at which a specific firearm or artillery piece can operate. ... A guns muzzle velocity is the speed at which the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun. ... The barrel of a gun or other firearm is the tube, usually metal, through which a controlled explosion is released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at great speed. ... The firing pin is a very hard steel rod with a one small, rounded end for striking the primer of a cartridge. ... A rifle is a firearm that uses a spiral groove cut into the barrel to spin a projectile (usually a bullet), thus improving accuracy and range of the projectile. ... A breech-loading weapon, usually a gun or cannon, is one where the bullet or shell is inserted, loaded, into the gun at the rear of the barrel, the breech; the opposite of muzzle-loading. ... Flag of Prussia (1894 - 1918) The Kingdom of Prussia existed from 1701 until 1918, and from 1871 was the leading kingdom of the German Empire, comprising in its last form almost two-thirds of the area of the Empire. ... The firing pin is a very hard steel rod with a one small, rounded end for striking the primer of a cartridge. ... Rimmed, centerfire . ... The percussion cap or primer was the crucial invention needed to make fire-arms that could fire in any weather. ... .357 Magnum cartridges, containing bullets. ... A bolt-action firearm is one that is manually operated (i. ...

The gun was the invention of the gunsmith Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse (1787—1867), who, beginning in 1824, had conducted multiple experiments, and in 1836 produced the complete needle-gun. Dreyse was ennobled in 1864. Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse (1787 - 1867) was a German firearms inventor and manufacturer born in Sömmerda, Germany, the son of a locksmith. ...

Usage and history

From 1848 onwards the new weapon was gradually introduced into the Prussian service, then later into the military forces of many other German states. The employment of the needle gun radically changed military tactics in the 19th Century.

The needle gun first made its appearance in street fighting in Dresden during the revolt of May 1849. It also played an important role in the Second war of Schleswig in 1864. The gun saw its heaviest use in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. From left to right: Brühls Terrace; the Hofkirche and the castle; the Semper Opera House. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Austro-Prussian War (also called the Seven Weeks War or the German Civil War) was a war fought between the Austrian Empire and Prussia in 1866 that resulted in Prussian dominance in Germany. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Ammunition

The cartridge used with this rifle consisted of the paper case, the bullet, the priming cap and the black powder charge. The 15.4 mm (0.61 in) bullet was shaped like an acorn, with the broader end forming a point. It was glued in a paper case known as a Sabot. Between this inner lining and the outer case was the powder charge, consisting of 4.8 g (74 grains) of black powder. The upper end of the paper case was rolled up and bounded together before the needle could strike the primer which was attached to the base of the bullet; its point then passed through the powder and hit the primer ahead. The theory of this placement of the primer would give more complete combustion of the charge. Black powder - here a 100 grams container - can be freely bought in Switzerland. ... Black powder - here a 100 grams container - can be freely bought in Switzerland. ...

There was also a blank cartridge developed for the needle gun, it was shorter and lighter than the live round, since it lacked the projectile, but was otherwise similar in construction and powderload.

Limitations

In practice the needle-gun proved to have numerous defects; its effective range was very short compared to that of the muzzle-loading rifles of the day, and conspicuously so as against the chassepot. A significant amount of gas escaped at the breech when the rifle was fired, and a paper cartridge was used. An improved model, giving greater muzzle velocity and increased speed in loading, was introduced later, but this was soon replaced by the Mauser rifle. A muzzleloader is any firearm into which the bullet is loaded from the muzzle of the gun (open end of the gun barrel). ... The chassepot, officially known as fusil modèle 1866, was a military breechloading rifle, famous as the arm of the French forces in the Franco-German War of 1870 and 1871. ... A guns muzzle velocity is the speed at which the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun. ... Mauser is the common name of German arms manufacturer Mauser-Werke Oberndorf Waffensysteme GmbH, as well as the line of bolt action rifles they built for the German armed forces. ...

Comparison with contemporary rifles

The only contemprary rifle which it can be compared to is the Norwegian kammerlader - the only other breech loader adopted for service in the 1840's. The Kammerlader, or chamber loader, was the first Norwegian breech loading rifle, and among the very first breech loaders adopted for use by an armed force anywhere in the world. ...

The Kammerlader, or chamber loader, was the first Norwegian breech loading rifle, and among the very first breech loaders adopted for use by an armed force anywhere in the world. ... The Kammerlader, or chamber loader, was the first Norwegian breech loading rifle, and among the very first breech loaders adopted for use by an armed force anywhere in the world. ...

External links

• The Needle-Gun and Cartridge, Chambers's Journal, 18 August 1866
• Cut through drawings of the Needle Gun

References

• Translated article on the Needle Gun, retrieved 30 September 2005

This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.

Supporters contend that the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica (1910-1911) represents the sum of human knowledge at the beginning of the 20th century; indeed, it was advertised as such. ...

See Also

• M1819 Hall rifle (A earlier breach loader)