Horst Held   =   Antique Handguns

  e-mail   held@ectisp.net
phone  972-775-8704           fax  972-775-3553
541 Lynnie Pennie Lane              Midlothian, Texas 76065

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  Dreyse & Collenbusch needlefire

Dreyse pistols and revolvers made before 1899


the measurements are in Rheinische Zoll (= Prussian, German Inches) which about 10% bigger than British Inches. The metric system introduced with the Convention in 1875. In 1864 Dreyse was knighted and later made weapons show with v. Dreyse

 

 

from John Walter's book, The Rifle Story

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F. v. DREYSE, SÖMMERDA made needle-fire revolver, serial # 9046, smaller than commonly found caliber 0.30",  3⅜" octagonal barrel with dovetail front sight,  frame with vine engraving, silver-inlaid needle sleeve. The maker's inscription on the top of the frame, serial number on the left side, and caliber designation on the right. Crisp checkered grip, the bluing rubbed, some metal parts somewhat stained. Needle is there but shortened. Good working and fine condition.    $6,000.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franz von Dreyse, Sömmerda, 1860's needle fire revolver, serial # 2128, cal. 0.35 Prussian inches and "12 Gran Pulv.". 4" octagonal barrel with dovetail front sight, mostly grayish. Frame and trigger guard with typical fine vine engraving, checkered walnut grip, lanyard ring. It is common, that the needle is broken. A good description of the type of revolver is in Muster’s Revolver Lexicon, item 51. Scarce in excellent  condition like this revolver   Early revolver with F. DREYSE, who was knighted in 1864 and then signed v. DREYSE.
In good working order and in fine condition    $5,500.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

action closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

action open for loading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

number 7163
M M proof,
normally used for Marine = Navy

 

 

 

 

Cal. 0,34"
6 Gran Pulver

 

 

 

 

 

N. Dreyse, Sömmerda,
1850's needle fire salon pistol, serial # 7163,
cal. 0.34 inches and "6 Gran Pulver",
6¾" octagonal barrel with front sight. One the barrel are proof stamps M M in gothic letters. Half-stocked with channeled grip, furniture typical vine engraved. After pushing part of the action backwards it is possible to lower the right hand side lever to open for loading. After closing and pushing the breech in position there is the holder of the needle looking out reminding of being loaded. With the pull of the trigger the needle hits the paper cartridge. Scarce pistol.
A similar pistol is pictured in Lugs' book Handfeuerwaffen, # 385.
Fine condition     $3,250.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting Pellet Cartridge  pistol probably German by Dreyse & Collenbusch; made according to the flared grip ~ 1840's Biedermaier-style. The 3½" octagonal Damascus barrel with four grove rifling in .28 caliber. Casehardened breech section with side lever opens the priming chamber and cocks the spring mounted firing pin. German silver furniture. Full walnut stock with checkered wrist and horn fore-cap. Right side of stock behind side lever fitted for uncommon hook safety. Length overall 10½". Left picture in carrying position, right picture in loading position, open on top for pellet Excellent condition, only ramrod missing. Butterfields 08/25/97, Lot 540        $3,375.

 

 

 

 

Dreyse.jpg (12474 bytes)

 

v. DREYSE, serial # 5232, probably the only known cased revolver

part of my collection and not for sale

 

 

 

 

serial # 2018 with barrel inscribed "Fabr. v. N. Dreyse."
= fabricated by Nicolaus Dreyse

 

 

 

 

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