These Dreyse sporting rifles are descended from the earliest bolt action rifles designed by Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse (1787-1867) around 1836 and are among the first modern bolt action sporting rifles. This very fine example has beautiful floral and scroll engraving with gold and silver inlaid accents including "F. V. DREYSE SOMMERDA" on top of the barrel and "PATENT" on the receiver ring in gold. The former indicates it was manufactured under Franz von Dreyse (1822 -1894), the son of the needle gun inventor. The barrel also has a blade front sight and adjustable notch rear sight, and the rifle is equipped with double set triggers. The matching serial number is on the left side of the barrel and on the underside of the bolt handle, and the barrel, receiver, and bolt all have "crown/V" proofmarks. The stock has a horn forend cap, sling swivels, leafy scroll carving intermixed with animal designs accented with glass eyes, a horn grip extension with scroll pattern at the tail end, cheek rest, and an engraved steel shotgun style buttplate.

Very fine with 85% plus original finish, mild fading on the right side of the receiver, light edge wear, light gray patina and spitting on the bolt and buttplate, and minor marks. The stock is fine with a concealed crack in the wrist, distinct carving, small areas of grain cracking, a track mark on the right side of the butt, and light scratches. Mechanically excellent. You will look for a long time to find a finer example of a Dreyse made weapon!