Dreyse needle gun

[Steve Lennon]

My reference says the length of the Dreyse is 1100 mm (43.25 inches). This looks a little short to me, particularly when compared to the Chassepot at 1305 mm.

Can anyone (Gary!) confirm or elaborate on these figures please?

 

[Steve Lennon]

Osprey says 124.5 mm, which seems more reasonable. Still shorter than I thought it would be.

 

[btavis]

Steve,

If you are talking about the 1862 model it was 142 cm in total length.

 

[Einion]

Hi Steve, the only length I could find for the Dreyse was 142cm. None of my gun books has dimensions for it although it's mentioned of course.

Einion

 

[Steve Lennon]

Thanks Bob and Enion.

What book is this measurement from?

Check out the Osprey MAA "German Armies 1870 - 71 (2)" scan and the other one from a weapon book.

Steve

 

[Steve Lennon]

The other one. Pays to double check your sources doesn't it?

 

[Manfred]

Well, there were several lenghts.

There was the standard infantry weapon, with two models, the M41 (448 510 available in 07.1870) and the M62 (434 567 available in 07.1870).

In my main source the following ist given:

M41:
length 1420mm, barrel length 900mm, weight 4900g. Bajonet lenght 566mm.
Weapon wasn't browned, other parts are brass.

M62:
length 1360mm, barrel lenght 845mm, weight 4750g. Bajonet lenght 580mm.
Barrel is round and browned, other parts brass.

Then there were shortened variants for Pioniere (engineer) and Jäger (Chasseurs, light infantry).
The shortened variants had the system and maybe barrel shortened.

Zündnadelbüchse M54 for Jäger batallions:
length 1245mm, barrel length 785mm, weight 4500g
No numbers of use given.

Zündnadelbüchse M62:
length 1255mm, barrel length 785mm weight 4500g.
Sources are conflicting here, some say four prussian Jäger batallions were issued with them, others say there were just 200 for field testing.

Zündnadelbüchse M65 for prussian, hessian, saxon Jäger batallions:
lenght 1230mm, barrel lenght 770mm, weight 4550g. Bajonet/short sabre length 645mm, length of blade 497 mm.
Barrel was browned, other parts brass, no barrel rings.
Available in 07.1870: 29 896.

I omit the Pionier ones as I guess you want an infantryman or Jäger weapon.

Source:
Die leichten Waffen der deutschen Armeen 1841-1945
Ludwig Baer
Journal Verlag 1976
No ISBN

Let me know if you need more.

HTH,
Manfred

 

[Steve Lennon]

Thanks Manfred, excellent detail which is very much appreciated.

Am I stretching the friendship if I ask for any diagrams you may have for these variations mate? No dramas if you can't.

cheers,

Steve

 

[Manfred]

Steve,

not a problem in the least.

I have to dig around in my books over the weekend. The mentioned book only has crappy b/w photos a la seventies style but good fact info.
I don't have drawings for all variations but can put some useful stuff together.
Have a special interest in 1870 anyway.

Will get back to you say monday ?

I wish there was a weapon book for modelers with colour pictures, measurements and three or four view drawings with all the more popular infantry weapons of say the 18th or 19th century.



Manfred

 

[Dan Morton]

I found some color photos that might help you. The REME museum site has rarely failed me in the past! Hope this helps.

http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/arms/rifles/armssbar.htm

All the best,
Dan

 

[billyturnip]

Steve, you might like to have a look Here It's in French but you should hopefully find it useful.
Details from the site are,
Fusil d'infanterie Mle 1841 Dreyse
Spécifications techniques
Fonctionnement : Semi-automatique
Calibre : 13.6 mm
munition :
Cadence de tir :
Vitesse initiale :
Chargeur : 1 balle
Longueur totale: 1,425 m.
Longueur du canon: 0,907 m.
Poids vide: 4,975 kg.


Roger.

 

[Steve Lennon]

Monday is just fine Manfred, thank you.

And thank you both Roger and Dan, those sites are excellent resources.

Steve