Oldenburg Model 1849 "Cyclops" Rifle

[Grayrock Volunteer]

I thought some of our forum members might enjoy getting a look at this odd bird. This Oldenburg Model 1849 is in my collection. It is a 33 inch barrel rifle with an overall length of about 49 and a half inches. The bore is nominally .69 caliber with a 4 groove rifling.
The interesting part of this rifle, and the feature that it derives its name from, is the center slung hammer. The hammer has a notch in it's striking face that serves as the long range rear sight (think Colt revolver), and a hole through the center of it that serves as the regular site, although I am unsure what distance it is ranged for.
This rifle was built by Carl Phillip Crause of Herzberg, and is marked as such on the iron tang that extends from the rear of the inline action.
Other than the centrally mounted hammer the rifle looks rather like other Hanseatic League muskets, such as the more commonly encountered Model 1840 Rifled Musket.
It is unknown how many of these rifles were imported, but based on the absence of records and their extreme scarcity, there must not have been many. It is speculated that these may have been mixed in with shipments of Saxon Model 1851 or 1857 Rifle Muskets purchased by George Schuyler.

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

Detail of the action.

 

[gary]

Thank you for sharing. I've never seen such a primitive sighting system.

 

[Twlunt]

That's fantastic! Thank you for posting that.

 

[Patrick H]

I've never seen that, either. It's pretty interesting. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

This example of the "Cyclops" musket makes a total of 5 that I am aware of, thanks for posting it! As rare as this musket is, and believe me it is very rare, the bayonet is even more rare because no one has been able to identify the bayonet for it. Even David Noe and Joseph Serbaroli, who wrote the outstanding book "European Bayonets of the American Civil War", were unable to find a single example to include in their book!
J.

 

[tbuckley]

Interesting piece. Thanks for posting.

 

[JOHN42768]

Great

 

[UCVRelics]

VERY NICE. Thanks for sharing the photos and the info.

 

[Twlunt]

I wonder how accurate that sight was. I've never seen anything like it.

 

[mofederal]

Thank you for posting this. I would say it is a strange rifle, seldom seen.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Like Grayrock noted, sighting really wouldn't be much different than a Colt revolver, where the hammer drops and you rely on "follow through" to hit what you're aiming at!
J.

 

[tbuckley]

Is it safe to assume that the few examples of the Cyclops were never issued and in storage until sold post-war?

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Nobody knows the history of them....yet!
J.

 

[mofederal]

Yes the history can be found. out, if the paperwork of the inventor can be found, or the paperwork of the company can be found or still exists. The language is in German I would guess, that needs translation. A lot of work, but it can be done. A lot of work, and I hope somebody can get it done.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Respectfully, I was answering the question about the "Cyclops" being issued in the US after being imported for the ACW. Not the history of the arm and its use in Europe.
J.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

Detail of the action.

View attachment 165154 View attachment 165155 View attachment 165156

That is just awesome. No other words. Love it.

 

[WJC]

Odd, but beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Hopfenmuller]

I am new to this site. I was an NSSA shooter for many years with C Battery, 1st Mich Lt Art. Later helped start a Reenactment group 3rd Battery, 1st Mich.
I also have an Oldenburg (kinda). Someone "bubba'd" it for a shotgun (I imagine). it is a beast of a weapon, kind of clumsy, but I like German stuff & this meets the criteria.
Will attempt to get a couple of photos & see if I can post them.

 

[tbuckley]

I am new to this site. I was an NSSA shooter for many years with C Battery, 1st Mich Lt Art. Later helped start a Reenactment group 3rd Battery, 1st Mich.
I also have an Oldenburg (kinda). Someone "bubba'd" it for a shotgun (I imagine). it is a beast of a weapon, kind of clumsy, but I like German stuff & this meets the criteria.
Will attempt to get a couple of photos & see if I can post them.

Looking forward to seeing the photos, and welcome from eastern Ohio.