This is a fascinating antique firearm. This high-quality Double Barrel 16 bore shotgun uses the needle fire system developed by F.V. Dreyse of Sommerda whose Needle fire rifle was used by the Prussian army from the 1840s until 1871.

This opens by an engraved rotary underlever, inlaid with a silver hound and stag on the trigger guard, with silver and gold scrollwork and gold lettering, walnut full stock, raised cheek-piece, checkered grip, engraved butt-plate, and a pair of steel sling swivels, one swivel is missing its pin.

This weapon was commercially made bearing the makers name in gold on the top barrel rib and has a fancy trigger guard. The butt stock has an upraised cheek piece, it has a crack on the forend portion and has been repaired long ago on the left side. There is a scrolled horn grip behind the trigger guard that has a crack and a missing portion.

The barrels are beautiful Damascus, RS 0468 has been scratched into the rib. The bores have deep pitting in the chambers.

The engraved action operates with a folding lever under the forend that when moved to the side it opens the breech turning the barrels to the left allowing easy loading of ammunition. Once loaded returning the lever to the original position replaces the barrels and closes the breech, the gun is now cocked, the needles are under tension and the weapon is ready to be discharged using Needle fire paper cartridges.

Made by German gunsmith Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse. Beginning in 1824, after conducted multiple experiments in 1836 produced the first complete needle fire gun.

A fine middle 19th century high quality German DB shotgun still in very good condition.

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