The needle-gun (German das Zündnadelgewehr) was a military breechloading rifle, famous as the arm of the Prussiansns in 1866 and of the Germans in 1870 and 1871. It was the invention of the gunsmith Johann Nicholas 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 arm was gradually introduced into the Prussian service, and later into the military forces of many other German states. Dreyse was ennobled in 1864.
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 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.
General Characteristics (pattern 1841)
(from an old encyclopedia)
