Needle gun
The needle gun (in German Zündnadelgewehr) was a military breechloading rifle, famous as the firearm of the Prussians in 1866 and of the Germans in 1870-1871. The gun was the invention of the gunsmith Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse (1787-1867), who, beginning in 1824, had made many experiments, and in 1836 produced the complete needle-gun. From 1841 onwards the new firearm was gradually introduced into the Prussian service, and later into the military forces of many other German states. Dreyse was ennobled in 1864. The principal details of the gun (pattern 1841) are as follows: - Breech Bolt system Calibre .607 in.
- Weight without bayonet 10 lb 4 oz.
- Charge (black powder) 74.15 grains
- Bullet (lead) 478 grains
- Muzzle velocity 1000 f/s
- Sighted to 800 paces (656 yds)
In practice the needle-gun proved to have numerous defects; its effective range was very short compared to that of the muzzleloading rifles of the day, and conspicuously so as against the chassepot: the escape of gas at the breech was, moreover, very great. A paper cartridge was used. An improved model, giving greater muzzle velocity and increased speed in loading, was introduced later, but this was soon replaced by the Mauser rifle.External linkThe Needle-Gun and Cartridge, Chambers's Journal, 18 August 1866 - This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica.
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