M62 Dreyse Zündnadelgewehr

[chrisftk]

I still have a long way to go in accumulating the various models, but picked up another Dreyse. The M62 was an evolution of the original M41 and is somewhat shorter and a few improvements, refinements on the original design.

This particular rifle was built in 1865, matches, except the cocking piece and has clean, unsanded wood. The maker is Spandau, but the legend below the arsenal eagle is quite faint and barely visible.

The needle is intact and the bolt did not receive Beck's upgrade.

It is marked to the 6th Grenadiers out of Posen (assuming I'm reading the mark correctly-- Confederation/Pre imperial marks aren't my strong suit.)

The commonalities with the later Imperial acceptance patterns are quite interesting. On the m62, you can also see quite a bit of inspiration for Mauser's later creations.

 

[chrisftk]

More pics and a spread of my current lineup:


Lineup:
M41 Saarn Arsenal (Infantry)
M57 Hertzberg Co (Cavalry)
M60 Saarn Arsenal (Fusilier)
M62 Spandau Arsenal (Infantry)
M69 Oberndorf Arsenal (Pioneer)
M74 Dreyse Sommerda (Customs/Borderguards)

 

[Loewe]

Another fine example, such diversity and difficulty in finding quality examples could keep a specialist in these occupied for as long as Dreyse lived!

Have you developed any trends on these, observations of the various makers, modifications and ranges (meager as such may exist... these especially rare variations do not lend themselves to trends work or speculations, they are more akin to individuals, unique with similarities to one another.

 

[Spartaner545]

Really very nice rifle. Congratulations to your dreyse needle rifle collection, you own some rare modells! Is the rear sight stamped and matching to the rifle?

Your unit marking translation is correct.

With kind regards

Vincent

 

[chrisftk]

Another fine example, such diversity and difficulty in finding quality examples could keep a specialist in these occupied for as long as Dreyse lived!

Have you developed any trends on these, observations of the various makers, modifications and ranges (meager as such may exist... these especially rare variations do not lend themselves to trends work or speculations, they are more akin to individuals, unique with similarities to one another.

Hi Paul-- unfortunately I haven't had enough actual data to do meaningful trends. I have a decent working knowledge of the models, manufacturers and variations, but even that is limited by lack of quality examples. If finding 71 data sets is a challenge, these are tenfold harder...

I've taken a real liking to these, as well as muskets... (another problematic thing to collect, as most have post civil war era "bubba" work) it's interesting to see the evolution-- I did this shot a few weeks ago to show the progression from the 1809/39 Potsdam to the Gew 98. Another member here recently offered me a 1809/55 rifled musket, which was pleased to find.

Really very nice rifle. Congratulations to your dreyse needle rifle collection, you own some rare modells! Is the rear sight stamped and matching to the rifle?

Your unit marking translation is correct.

With kind regards

Vincent

Thank you Vincent- I always appreciate your advice and knowledge on these pre-unification pieces. There aren't a lot of guys here in the US that are as passionate about these. Craig Brown left a big void and only 1-2 of my American friends really appreciate these antiques.

The rear sight appears to match, though there is some thick oxidization on the bottom of the sight that obscures most of the SN.

I've seen several variants of rear sight on these- some with more M41-style sights, others with the later M71 style sight. I know manufacturing changed as technology progressed, but were sights retrofitted as well? (I would imagine they would be especially on Beck converted examples to account for increased range)

 

[Loewe]

I suspected the scarcity (rarity) in observations, needless to say acquisition, would hamper even the most rudimentary trending of the variations. The survival rare must be in the small factions of a percent!

I looked through my files and found almost nothing written about them, a couple biographical sketches of Dreyse and some very superficial articles on individual rifles. Have you encountered any articles on the subject besides what might be in Storz or Görtz book? The best thing I have read is a 1940 monograph on the variation, but I bet there is more in older magazines and collector journals, though the quality is often low, either regarding a rifle or a broad overview.

 

[chrisftk]

I suspected the scarcity (rarity) in observations, needless to say acquisition, would hamper even the most rudimentary trending of the variations. The survival rare must be in the small factions of a percent!

I looked through my files and found almost nothing written about them, a couple biographical sketches of Dreyse and some very superficial articles on individual rifles. Have you encountered any articles on the subject besides what might be in Storz or Görtz book? The best thing I have read is a 1940 monograph on the variation, but I bet there is more in older magazines and collector journals, though the quality is often low, either regarding a rifle or a broad overview.

The two best sources I have read on needle rifles are Das Zündnadelgewehr, Eine militärtechnische Revolution by Wirtgen and The new English source from last year, The Dreyse Military Needle Ignition System by Guy and Leonard AR West in the UK. There's not much in the way of trending, but they do a nice job of outlining various manufacturers and variance.

I have not come across any articles, at least English language ones.

Most of what I have picked up on these is self taught, but Vincent has been a wonderful mentor/friend as well.

 

[Loewe]

Interesting, I haven't heard of these two books. Trending would be of limited value, even if you could get a good representative sampling, I am sure these have gone through numerous upgrades and modifications, but a sound outline of makers and dates would be interesting.

Vincent does sound like a resourceful collector!