N.Dreyse

A Prussian needle-fire rifle, M 1841, signed Sommerda N.D(reyse).

Many thanks to “BOLKANTIQUES” for the pictures.

Dreyse

cal. 6.35mm (.25ACP)

Dreyse 1907

calibre 7.65mm (.32ACP)

Photos "EMPIREARMS"

Dreyse 1914

calibre 7.65mm (.32ACP)

The semi-automatic rifle pistol Dreyse

History

In July 1897 Paul Mauser created three prototypes rifle pistol semi automatic. The second prototype has a fixed stock. These three weapons will not be any commercial success. 1905 should be waited until to see leaving the Mauser factories a semi-automatic rifle pistol more worked out, intended for the sale. These weapons are been sulky of the public

That explains their very modest numbers.

The rheinmétall, Rheinische Metallwaren und Maschinenfabrik Sommerda Germany, Adopted, thereafter Rheinmetall-Borsig, Dusseldorf. It joined in 1936 the company Borsig GMBH and formed the company above.

This company began in Sommerda in 1889 by manufacture from machine tools. In 1907, it buys the shares of Waffenfabrik Von Dreyse which was in bankruptcies. After a training course abroad Von Dreyse opened a factory of weapons with Sömmerda in 1841 and created the needle rifles and pistols with percussion, then revolvers with central percussion.

Von Dreyse had been deceased for several years when this rifle pistol was created, but not given to this weapon was adopted in memory of the bonds which linked the waffenfabrik Von Dreyse to the Rheinmétall.

Conceived about 1905-1906, with the caliber of 7.65.ACP the weapon was designed By Louis Schmeisser.

With the shooting with 50 meters, the precision is good. With the supported shooting with frank arm, there is a little dispersion. The completion of this weapon is quite neat; its simple mechanism leaves the ordinary one.

It is a particularly rare part and which one meets only in the German and Swiss purses.

Max.

Franz Von Dreyse - Sömmerda

Needle-gun, made by Franz von Dreyse, the son of Nikolaus von Dreyse, who invented this needlefire system.

The "R" under crown corresponding with article 4 of the law of 1891 says that the barrel or the chamber have been altered and the gun has then been proofed once more. The "16,3mm" is probably the new caliber of the chamber or the barrel.

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