Antique Dreyse Pistols

Pistols and revolvers made before 1899. In 1864 Nicolaus Dreyse was knighted and later made weapons reviews show with von = von Dreyse  / v. Dreyse.

The measurements are in Rheinische Zoll (= Prussian, German Inches). Those are about 10% bigger than British Inches. The metric system was introduced with the Convention in 1875. Quite the custom pistol.

This is a very rare German double trigger Officer’s Reichsrevolver in caliber 10.55mm identical .44 S&W Russian. Made and marked by F. v. DREYSE, SŒMMERDA. Typical Dreyse grip with raised grip escutcheon or other parts and accessories.
Reichsrevolvers were used by Germany from 1879 through WWI. The Officer’s models were made in limited numbers. Double action and double Trigger models were made in extremely limited numbers and were privately purchased by officers, who appreciated this feature. All Original, and all matching numbered 1991. Works Great  in single and double action, The first trigger revolves the cylinder, the second loosens the firing pin. Bore with strong rifling; similar rifle guides and reviews would help distinguish a lot of these characteristics.  Finish is about 50% glossy blue remaining with most wear on grip-straps. Grips are fine, with no cracks and no looseness. Of all the variations of Reichsrevolver, the Double Trigger variation  is  most desirable!
Manufactured by Dreyse and in much better condition than most surviving examples. 

Dreyse model 1883 BABY Reichsrevolver typical Dreyse grip with raised grip escutcheon,double trigger, ejector and safety matching serial # 13, caliber 9mm / .380. Dreyse made only very few Baby Reichsrevolver, and this is the third I encounter in my 52 years of collecting. A 3⅜” barrel with fixed front sight and on left side in front of the # the same P one finds in Patent, Patent stamped on ejector, officer’s revolver styled  double triggers and ejector, additional a frame-mounted safety behind the hammer that. This safety needs to be retracted before the hammer can be cocked.  Rear of the cylinder is matching numbered 13, and  all visible small parts, including the screw heads and grip escutcheons are marked with matching 68 – similare to keltec reviews. Finely checkered wood grips, each secured with a central screw and escutcheon. The major parts finished with a high polish blue. Circa 50% original bright blue with fading of small parts, fine bore with easily discernible rifling, perfect manual mechanics.
One of the most difficult to find Dreyse revolvers and one that stays in my extremely safe concealment gun furniture.

Dreyse Needlefire Double Action Revolver
serial #5215, caliber .38 Prussian, those are about 10% bigger than British Inches, 4″ swamped octagon barrel with v. DREYSE  SÖMMERDA on top flat,  very good bore which shows strong rifling but with  a few very light pits. The metal surfaces on this very rare revolver are an overall bright pewter gunmetal patina showing remnants of light oxidation and near overall light pinprick pitting. On  the left and right of frame showing light engraving which continues on to the bottom of the frame, bow of the guard and the trigger guards front extension. The right side of the frame shows the caliber and load marking “Cal: 0,35″-12 Gran Pulv”. The checkered walnut one-piece grip rates very good as well with minor dings and handling marks from the years,  the lanyard loop is intact. The cylinder is numbered to a different gun however it fits and times very well, A extremely rare loading lever is included, numbered “5555”. The revolver with the seldom surviving needle functions well mechanically and is a very interesting and very rare piece of firearms history.  

If interested in finding one then please visit one of our locations.

Scarce DREYSE needlefire revolver with attached loading lever

serial# 5409. Caliber .35″ German = circa .38” American. Dreyse made relatively few needle fire revolvers, and not many survived the wars. This example has a 4″ octagonal barrel with an adjustable front sight and a fixed rear sight. The top strap reads v. DREYSE SÖMMERDA. The serial# 5409 appears within a light scroll on the left side of the frame while the caliber designation “Cal: .35″-12 Gran Pulv”, again with scroll highlights, is on the right frame. We had one similar, but it had an ar10 scope review platform. It is covered by the attached loading lever which is the first time in 50 years of collecting I see it present. A “Sch” is stamped on the front of the frame, partially covered by the cylinder pin lever. Additional light scroll is on the rear of the receiver and under the trigger guard that was originally case hardened. The grip has fine wraparound checkering that extends to the strap. At the base is a robust non-rotatable lanyard ring. Function is double action only.

Similar to many Over-Under Shotguns, approximately 80% bright original blue with spotting and fading, particularly on the barrel and front strap. High edge wear and cylinder line as would be expected from mild use. Most of the case coloring has faded from the trigger guard that is now toned to a pleasant gray. The single piece grip with bright original varnish and sharp checkering. The usually broken needle is still intact.  Please note, these will easily work with our concealment mirrors or hidden gun lamps. Mechanically perfect. Overall a very attractive, high condition Dreyse Needle fire with the extremely rare mounted loading lever that should please the most discriminating collector. Additional, unlike common revolvers this one has a device on the right hand side to keep the base pin in place.

Learn how to clean your shotgun like a pro here.

PROVENANCE: Ex-Visser collection. ex collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess – Owner of Barska Scopes.

The scarce revolver is sold.

Fabr. v. N. Dreyse/ fabricated by Nicolaus von Dreyse made needle fire pistol, serial 2018, for loading the left side lever is pushed down opening the breech. 6½” octagonal barrel with dovetail front sight and maker’s inscription on the right. the barrel is brown with a little oxidation, the grips are fine, the breech can be pulled backwards. Many of the best shotguns available are built with similar breeches.
A rare pistol in very good condition.

N. Dreyse, Sömmerda,
1850’s needle fire salon pistol, serial # 7163,
cal. 0.34 inches and “6 Gran Pulver”,
6¾” octagonal barrel with front sight. One the barrel are proof stamps M M in gothic letters. Half-stocked with channeled grip, furniture typical vine engraved. After pushing part of the action backwards it is possible to lower the right hand side lever to open for loading. After closing and pushing the breech in position there is the holder of the needle looking out reminding of being loaded. With the pull of the trigger the needle hits the paper cartridge. Scarce pistol.
A similar pistol is pictured in Lugs’ book Handfeuerwaffen, # 385. Learn more about shotgun history here.
Fine condition 

The revolver shows on the left side in front of the cylinder 3 stamps which are the proof of the Prussian acceptance1. revisions stamp “crown with single letter M”
2. Prussian Eagle as proof of the power test by the military
3. RC with crown = revision control

Dreyse needle fire revolver, serial # 11066, military rifle calibers 0.39 Rheinische Zoll, 4½ Cent. Pulver /powder. On the bridge is the stamp F. V. DREYSE  Sömmerda. Dreyse was knighted in 1864, meaning since this time he can add the word “von” in front of his last name, also proof that the revolver was made after 1864. The military accepted revolvers are rare, and the highest number is 11100. This one is in fine condition and very rare,    soldHello,just for your information:
Your Dreyse needle-fire revolver with troop marking G.L.G.26 (not G.E.G.26.) has been bought from Prussia in 1880 and was in use with the Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz Land-Gendarmerie. So the marking is to be read as Großherzogliche Land-Gendarmerie Revolver N°26. You can add a .22 optic if you need a little extra.
source: Adalbert Mila; Uniformierungs-Liste des Deutschen Reichs-Heeres und der Kaiserlichen Deutschen Marine, Berlin, 4. Auflage 1881.
Regard
U. L.
Thank you!