DESCRIPTION: Scarce Prussian Dreyse M.1857 cavalry needle carbine made at the Gewehrfabrik Herzberg am Harz in 1870, as indicated by markings on the receiver. Caliber: 15.43 mm. The Dreyse needle-gun (Zündnadelkarabiner) is a military breech loader. The gun was the invention of the gunsmith Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse, who in 1836 produced the the first complete needle-gun. It became famous as the main battle weapon of the Prussians, who adopted it for service in 1841. Its name comes from needle-like firing pin, which passed through the paper cartridge case to impact a percussion cap at the bullet base. The Dreyse was also the first breech-loader to use the bolt action to open and close the chamber, executed by turning and pulling a bolt handle. All matching serial numbers (stamped on the receiver, barrel, bolt, buttplate and on all the screw heads). All the serial numbers are original and they were not restamped. Numerous Prussian proofs on metal. The left side of the octagonal part of the barrel displays Prussian Crown over "FW" (Frederick Wilhelm, King of Prussia). The upper part of the chamber displays a word, "Stahl" (steel). The brass butt plate tang displays Imperial German Military acceptance mark, "Crown over Gothic D". Brass trigger guard. Iron nosecap. Steel barrel rifled with 4 grooves. Full-length walnut stock. Manufactured without barrel bands. Saddle ring is located behind the trigger guard. No provision for the cleaning rod. Overall length: 31.75 inch. Barrel length: 15 inch. CONDITION: Overall, in NRA antique excellent+ condition. The receiver, barrel and bolt have correct polished steel finish. All the markings and numbers on both, metal and wood are clearly visible. The bore is in excellent+++ condition with strong and shiny rifling. Mechanically, the carbine is in excellent++ condition. Strong action. Solid and smooth walnut stock with only minor handling marks. There are several bug holes in wood, mainly in the buttstock. Scarce and beautifully preserved Prussian Dreyse saddle ring cavalry carbine! Serial# 14XX. Antique. (Ref. "Militargewehre und Pistolen der deutschen Staaten 1800-1870", by Hans-Dieter Gotz, pp. 307-308).
