Dreyse Needle Gun...Worth?

wsltdny

Hello World,

I am new to this particular item and was wondering if anyone had a general price range for this rifle. I can potentially get one but want to know a ballpark figure one would sell for nowadays. I wish I had more information on the particulars of the rifle, but all I know is that it is a little beat up but otherwise in working condition.

Any assistance would be appreciated, thanks
SG

andrewsw16

You can try searching on the auction side. But, without some details it is impossible to answer. Basically you have asked, "I want to buy a Chevy truck. What is it worth?" There are lots of variables. Age, model, condition, etc, that have a huge impact on gun value. Try to get some more info and several VERY close up pictures and post them here. That will yield the best results. Good luck.

carbine100

A Google search provided one that sold on an online gun site for about $2450. Don't know much about it other than Model 1862. Another listed on another gun auction site for $3450 failed to draw a bid. (Can still bring up pictures of this one)

About the best I can do with the limited info you have.

wsltdny

Thanks guys for helping... i'm going to see if I can get more info.. I understand the abstract-nature of my request.

wsltdny

Hey,

I finally have two quick photos from the seller of the gun;

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll296/ucsteve04/IMAG0765.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll296/ucsteve04/IMAG0766.jpg

Any make/model info or price estimation would be greatly appreciated!

rufe-snow

The rifle pictured appears to be a French Chassepot rather then a Dreyse. Generally the markings would be a indication of this. If it is a French Chassepot infantry rifle it wouldn't be nearly as valuable as a authentic Dreyse needle gun, although the internal mechanisms have a similar long firing pin. Before you spend big bucks on what is purportedly a Dreyse, make sure it's not in reality a Chassepot.

hrf

As rufe-snow suggests, it's a French Chassepot, not a Prussian Dreyse, and you can compare here:

http://www.littlegun.info/arme allemande/a dreyse gb.htm

http://www.littlegun.info/arme francaise/artisans c d/a chassepot 1866 gb.htm

wsltdny

Yes it appears you both are correct. These collectible firearms a not my expertise so I'm grateful for all your input. They seem pretty beat up in the photo; I wonder what I'd be able to get for them!

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by wsltdny
Yes it appears you both are correct. These collectible firearms a not my expertise so I'm grateful for all your input. They seem pretty beat up in the photo; I wonder what I'd be able to get for them!


Considering that the Chassepot is over 135 years old it doesn't look that bad for an antique military rifle, I've seen a lot worse over the years. I don't enough about them to say if the mechanism is original or not. Many of the needle fire Chassepot's were reworked for metallic cartridges. If it's still in the original needle fire configuration, I would say it would have substantial value to a collector of French military firearms.