Needle Guns

[Steve McCarty]

I read the term "needle gun" all of the time, and finally discovered that it was an early term used for the Trapdoor Springfield Rifle. They long firing pin was called the needle.

Then I read that all rifles, fired by the use of a firing pin were also called needle guns. Someone described the rifle that Buckshot Roberts used to kill poor Richard Brewer as a needle gun. It was one of those fancy officer's model Trapdoor Springfields.

Does anyone have any additional info on Needle Guns? Did the term apply to pistols as well? Did a needle gun have to be a center fire?

I'm curious about the term.

Thanks,

[Joe Bethancourt]

Um, no. The term "needle gun" is applied strictly to the type of military rifle used by the French circa the Franco-Prussian War. The firing pin was a needle like rod that passed completely thru the paper cartridge to set off the primer cap located at the base of the bullet. Obviously, tho not to the inventor, the combustion of the powder did Bad Things in the way of corrosion to this thin pin, giving it a tendency to break off and render the gun into a large paperweight at the most inopportune times.

[Steve McCarty]

Joe, you are refering to the Dreyus Needle gun. That it was fired by the long needle like firing pin the pentrated the power charge and hit a primer that was on the rear of the bullet. It leaked gas, but was popular because of it's rapid rate of fire. They were usually shot from the hip and rather pointed than aimed. The needle corroded badly, and had to be constantly replaced.

In tales of the Old West one will often read that so and so shot a needle gun. That needle was the long firing pin of the Trapdoor Springfield. The term was in rather wide usage in Billy's day. I read somewhere that Buckshot Roberts shot Richard Brewer with a needle gun. That refered to an Officer's Model Trapdoor Springfield that was in the room where Robert's took cover after he was shot by Charlie Bowdre.

I'll try to search out a quote for you. I think it was uttered by Frank Coe.

[Joe Bethancourt]

Hm! This is a new one on me!

[Steve McCarty]

Buffalo Bill Cody refered to his trapdoor Springfield as a needle gun. I think it was an Allen in 50/70. I've seen it, or what's left of it, but I cannot recall exactly what kind of gun/rifle it is. The stock is busted off right behind the trigger guard. I'm sure it was a pre-1873 rifle however. I guess I could look it up.

[Steve McCarty]

I just looked it up. Buffalo Bill's favorite buffalo hunting rifle was a 50/70 1863 2nd Model Allin conversion. He named it Lucrecia (sp?) Borgia.

For years Custer carried an Allin 50/70 officers model trapdoor, but he was killed shooting a custom Remington Rolling block, probably also a 50/70.