New weapons by 1868?

[thomas aagaard]

2nd hand. ;-)
Since I don't own one and have not fired one with a round I can't tell.
Just handled one with blanks at a 1864 event here in Denmark. And I did try remove and reset the needle. and it was no problem to do. (sure, in winter during combat it might be an issue, but then you have similar with the percussion caps for weapons that use them)
I was told that the needle could handle 150+shots with no problem...

Suggest your watch the youtube clip. He cover the issue of needle and gas at around 17:45.
For accuracy suggest you watch the whole topic. I do believe he give some commend on it. (been a while since I saw it)

But the whole clip is worth watching.

 

[Story]

Previous thread on topic
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/dreyse-needle-gun-how-did-the-americans-miss-it.78345/

The Dreyse needle gun had been around a while before even 1860 .

I remember coming across a small & cryptic article from 1861, talking about a cavalry company from out in one of the western states being armed with needle carbines. I also remember winding up looking at this
http://www.ima-usa.com/original-pru...avalry-carbine-15-4mm-dreyse-needle-fire.html

 

[Story]

Just handled one with blanks at a 1864 event here in Denmark. .

For what it's worth, I've rolled live cartridges for a Chassepot (cap at base of cartridge, viz in the hollow of the projectile like the Dreyse), so the needle doesn't have to penetrate through the powder to ignite the cap.

Fabricated a gas obturator from plumbing washers lathed down to the inside diameter of the bolt channel. Done slowly and with care, there was no gas leakage.