German breech loader?

[Jim in Wisconsin]

This isn't really civil war related, I hope that's ok.
I am reading "Without Quarter" by William Chalpant, about Indian fighting in the southwest in the 1840's. There is a mention of "Missouri Mounted Volunteers Sante Fe Battalion" using what are called German-made breech loading rifles that could fire 5 times in one minute. This is taking place in 1848. Does anyone have an idea of what those rifles would be?

 

[archieclement]

The Dreyse would fit a possible timeline, haven't found reference to US or Mexican war use though.

Dreyse needle gun - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Lampasas Bill]

As a former curator of the Missouri State Museum, I have no idea what the author is talking about, unless he means the breech loading Hall rifle or carbine, which, of course, was not German made. To my knowledge the Missouri volunteers brought their own private arms. The museum has the muzzle loading, percussion hunting rifle used by Zadoc Holcomb in Co. C of the Santa Fe Battalion in 1847 and 1848.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

The event he was talking about was the battle at Coon Creek in Kansas.
I suppose the Hall percussion rifle would be a possibility and that the German made part is just wrong, but I wouldn't think anyone would have had one as a private purchase.

 

[archieclement]

Saw this today, so thought I'd add to discussion. It gives more info on dreyse.