Dreyse 11mm Double Rifle - what did I buy? centerfire or needle gun?

This came up for sale - I like unusual double rifles, so I bought it. But now I'm hoping its not a needle-gun. I won't have it in hand for a couple weeks. Meantime, Can anyone here tell me what I bought. If centerfire, how does it work? What cartridge would it shoot? Any idea when it was made?

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/dreyse11mm-000.jpg

I can't get to your link safely but doubt that there was ever a db needle gun. The Dreyse needle gun was probably the first bolt action, and worked by driving a long needle right through the powder to a primer against the bullet, as I recall.

Pinfires were probably the first breech-loading doubles, having a pin protruding from the cartridge, perpendicular to the bore.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
I can't get to your link safely but doubt that there was ever a db needle gun.

As a matter of fact, there were many needle fire double guns, both rifles and shotguns. Here are just a few examples ...

https://www.gunsinternational....cfm?gun_id=101735285

https://www.gunsinternational....cfm?gun_id=102938314

http://forums.nitroexpress.com...n=244637&type=thread

https://www.ancestryguns.com/s...e-centerfire-system/

https://www.barnebys.com/reali...el-rifle-ApOPVknK5IL

Well, there you go, buckstix - and I guess you've googled the answer to your own question. The dodgy link had Dreyse in the code, so it would appear to be needle fire unless someone converted it later.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
Well, there you go, buckstix - and I guess you've googled the answer to your own question. The dodgy link had Dreyse in the code, so it would appear to be needle fire unless someone converted it later.

No, I showed the links above only to answer your questioning the existence of there being needle-fire double rifles. According to German experts from another forum, this double rifle is a Factory Center-Fire Dreyse Double Rifle, post 1893, most likely 11.15x60R caliber. (aka 43 Mauser)

Does it look exactly the same as the needle gun, outwardly?

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
Does it look exactly the same as the needle gun, outwardly?

no, the back of this rifle's action is closed, whereas the actions of needle guns show the needles protruding out the back of the action.

I had the seller take some additional pictures of the breech showing the cartridge extractors. looks like this will be for a standard 11.15x60R cartridge. (43 Mauser)

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/breech-000.jpg

Thanks buckstix,
unfortunately my tablet does not want me to open your particular links. Those others seemed fine.

You can edit the security settings on your tablet to allow my photos - they are uploaded to my private web page - it's very secure and never captures your info.

See www.buckstix.com
My web page has almost a million hits to date.

OK, I see your pictures now and note that the gun has extractors, supporting your later post about the cartridges. The scant info. I've found suggests the original paper cartridges were blown or sucked out of the barrel with the bullet.

Well, I got the rifle in hand today. This is a marvelous little double rifle. Action is tight as new when made in the 1890s, and it operates silky smooth. There is no doubt - this is a center-fire cartridge double rifle as witnessed by a chamber cast. Its in 11.15x60R caliber (43 Mauser) I can't wait to take it to the range to see how it shoots. But it may be a while. Outdoor temperature were 10 degrees today.

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/43-cast.jpg

Well, back from the field test, and I am tremendously happy with this little double's performance. Its ready to go for next year's deer hunting.

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/11MM-TARG-1.jpg

Those groups are as good as any I have ever seen from a double rifle - not on top of each other, after which crossing should occur, but indicating parallel bullet paths, the way they should be.

I suppose the long ball/fences part is necessary because Dreyse continued with spring-loaded strikers instead of going to hammers or tumblers.