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Midlothian, Texas 76065army revolvers, please see page "Reichsrevolver"
Dreyse from John Walter's book, The Rifle Story
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
cocking
Dreyse Patent Needle Fire Single Shot pistol, approximately 60 bore, measuring 12
½” length, full stock to the muzzle, very nicely engraved with maker’s name and patent information on barrel with maker’s address. The pistol remains in very good original condition showing a light gray to a brown patina finish on the barrel with only some slight erosion pinprick pitting just starting and natural aging. The stock is in good condition showing some light wear to the checkering, minor storage marks, a small loss of wood towards the top edge but generally good to very good overall. These needle fire pistols are important in the development of cartridge arms and Johann Nikolaus Dreyse was one of the early leaders in needle fires. Very seldom are examples found with signatures. $5,250.
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.
◄ closed
▲ open for loading
showing hole for needle
pass through ►
Cal. 0,34
6
Gran Pulver
Dreyse lady's rifle
, serial # 3437, cal. circa .38 for a paper-needle-fire-cartridge, please see picture below. 14½" octagonal barrel with fixed front sight and adjustable rear sight,numbered 37. The metal parts are grayish, and it appears that those were not blued or browned. The nice grained wood with cheek-piece and checkered. Overall length circa 31".
Very good condition. $2,250.
the next two pictures are only for information:
for comparison the lady's rifle and a Dreyse marked pistol from below.
Dreyse's Damengewehr =
lady's rifle, Cal. 0,34 (Rheinische Zoll as common measurement at the time in Prussia) = 8.90mm, in U.S. circa .38, 6 Gran Powder.
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.
serial # 2018 with barrel inscribed
"Fabr. v. N. Dreyse."
= fabricated by Nicolaus Dreyse
v. DREYSE, serial # 5232, probably the only known cased revolver
part of my collection and not for sale
DC = DREYSE & COLLENBUSCH, circa 1850's made needle fire pistol marked DC
and the Prussian eagle on the breech of the 7¾" barrel. Serial # 359 on breech and
under the right side lever, that one can swing around 180 degrees. Cal. .58 smooth bore.
Double or set triggers. Fully stocked with varnished walnut, and grips is checkered with a
for the time typical flared grip. This is one of Dreyse’s many tries to sell besides
his successful rifle also handguns to the Prussian army.
Extremely rare pistol in excellent condition
sold