Dreyse 11mm Double Rifle - what did I buy? centerfire or needle gun?

[buckstix]

Dreyse 11mm Double Rifle - what did I buy? centerfire or needle gun?

This came up for sale - I like unusual double rifles, so I bought it. But now I'm hoping its not a needle-gun. I won't have it in hand for a couple weeks. Meantime, Can anyone here tell me what I bought. If centerfire, how does it work? What cartridge would it shoot? Any idea when it was made?

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/dreyse11mm-000.jpg

[mike ford]

buckstix,
See my comments on Doublrgunshop Forum. If there are no proof marks, it was made before 1893. A center fire would work the same way a needle-fire would except the firing pins would be shorter than "needles" and larger in diameter. It would also need some type of extractor as mentioned in my other comments.
Mike

[buckstix]

Here are some detail pictures of the breech. Definitely a cartridge double.

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/breech-000.jpg

breech-000.jpg

[buckstix]

Well, I got the rifle in hand today. This is a marvelous little double rifle. Action is tight as new when made in the 1890s, and it operates silky smooth. There is no doubt - this is a center-fire cartridge double rifle as witnessed by a chamber cast. Its in 11.15x60R caliber (43 Mauser) I can't wait to take it to the range to see how it shoots. But it may be a while. Outdoor temperature were 10 degrees today.

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/43-cast.jpg

[mike ford]

buckstix,
That is great for you since you already load that caliber and have components and equipment on hand.
Mike

[buckstix]

Well, back from the field test, and I am tremendously happy with this little double's performance. Its ready to go for next year's deer hunting.

https://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/11MM-TARG-1.jpg