Third Party Press

Dreyse Defensions Zündnadelbüchse U/M - muzzleloading Jaeger converted to dreyse

Spartaner545

Senior Member
Hello guys,

here is the last of my dreyse Jager rifles, the "Defensions-Zündnadelbüchse U/M". This was the only dreyse rifle that was built by reworking an old prussian muzzleloading weapon, the Jägerbüchse 1835/47.

Barrel length: 66 cm
Overall length: 112 cm

Produced by "Soemmerda F.v.D." in 1868. All matching with the "new" serial number 3943. The original Jägerbüchse 1835/47 was produced in 1839.

I really like the aesthetics of these original Jägerbüchse. Overall short but heavy rifle, octagonal barrel, decorated brass fittings, patch box, cheek rest and bayonet lug for the Hirschfanger.

With kind regards

Vincent


For those who are interested, a bit of interesting background history:

The changes done to the rifle
The "U/M" stands for "Umgeändertes Modell" so "reworked modell" in english. The reworking process included cutting the end of the original barrel to fit the dreyse system. For all these "defensive-rifles" the carbine M/57 was the system of choice. Then the barrel would be bored out to the dreyse calibre. Both the lock and the counter lock plate were removed from the stock and the openings were filled with wood plugs. The barrel with its new dreyse system was then fitted into the reworked stock. The old set trigger was removed and a simplefied dreyse trigger was installed. All of the old fittings were kept, including the bayonet lug so they kept their original sword bayonets.
Literature tells us that some of these Defensions-Zündnadelbüchse U/M kept their old 1835/47 sights, mine had its sights upgraded and i have never seen a rifle without upgraded sights. They can be found with both a wooden or a steel ram rod.
These rifles were all produced by Soemmerda in either 1868 or 1869. In total 8662 of such rifles were produced.

The defence rifles and their use
The german words "Defension" roughly translates to defensive and thats what these rifles were ment to be. They were used for defending the country. In the late 1860's more then 51,000 rifled muskets and rifles were reworked into defence rifles. When the war broke out in 1870 these weapons were given to rearline units and garrision bataillons used for guard duties and such.
The ranks got the former muskets and the lower ranking NCO's got the rifles.


Interesting to note is that this weapon, the DZB U/M, is the only prussian weapon ever reworked into a dreyse rifle. During the early years of the dreyse system there were trials with reworking the musket 1809/12 UM and the Jägerbüchse 1835 into dreyse rifles but it was seen as unpractical at the time. Why they would change their mind with upgrading the Jägerüchse 1835/47 a few years later i dont know.


PS: The markings "I L 21:661" and "K3:1 661" are later museum inventar markings and not prussian military stamps.
 

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PS: If anyone knows of a prussian marked Hirschfanger 1810/23 bayonet to fit this rifle... i am looking for one :)
 

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Vincent,

What a wonderful example! I'm very jealous! Thank you for sharing.

I know of an 1810/20 bayonet, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 23.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk
 

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