Prussian Dreyse Needle Gun M1841 Complete Specs and Full Gun Specifications

In 1841, the Prussian Army (Prussia, 1525 - 1947) adopted a new long gun known as the Dreyse "Needle Gun". The weapon was a breech-loading rifle utilizing a manually-actuated bolt lever and firing an acorn-shaped bullet (of lead) contained in a paper cartridge. The "needle gun" name stemmed from the firing pin in the action which was used to pierce the cartridges and activate the propellant. As a single-shot weapon, the Needle Gun was reloaded after every firing action by manipulation of the bolt lever.