Vereinsgewehr 1857

The rifle has a percussion lock construction of Swiss model, i.e. there was no loading position of the hammer. A number were converted to the Dreyse needle fire breech-loading bolt-action system in 1867, and became known as Model 1857/67.

• Is Ranged — yes • Name — Vereinsgewehr 1857 • Type — Rifled musket • Origin — Württemberg, Baden, Hesse • Design Date — 1856 • Production Date — 1857–1866 • Manufacturer — Königlich Württembergische Gewehrfabrik and others in Suhl • Service — 1861/2-1867/68 • Used By — Württemberg, Baden and Hesse • Wars — Austro-Prussian War • Part Length — 100 cm • Cartridge —.547 in Minié ball • Feed — Muzzle-loaded • Action — Caplock • Range — 910 m (Baden and Württemberg sights), 1100 m (Hesse sights) • Weight — 4.6 kg • Length — 1.39 m • Variants — Hesse variant • Number — >70,000 (30,000 Württemberg; Baden and Hesse @ 20,000)

Rifles from Hesse on the one hand and Baden and Württemberg on the other hand can be distinguished by their rear sights. Württemberg and Baden union rifles and Jäger rifles use a sight with the scale below, from 200 yard to 1000 yard, constructed by 1st lieutenant Breithaupt. Hesse instead used a quadrant sight with the scale above, max. 1200 yard, after Darmstadt armoury colonel Müller.