The Prussian Needle Gun (German: Zundnadelgewehr, Danish: Taendnalsgevaer) was well known to the Danish military authorities. Testing of a needle gun (made for hunting purposes) in 1835 proved it to be rather faulty and even dangerous. It was, however, considered by King Frederik VI to be of an interesting design, although not fully developed.

Apparently the military version of the needle gun (Model 1841) was used for the first time ever against foreign troops at the battle of Almind (Jutland) on the 7th May, 1849. It was, however, fired in anger the day before by the Kaiser Alexander Garde Grenadier Regiment No. 1 against some civil rioters in Dresden, (East Germany).

After the battle of Kolding the Danish troops were pressed further up in Jutland. The avantgarde (consisting of the 4th Reserve Battalion, 4 cannons, 4 Espingois and 2 squadrons of 6th Reg.) under the command of Colonel Flindt and the Reserve under Colonel Pafaff (the 6th Battalion, 1st Jager Corps (Light Infantry.) 8 cannons and 2 squadrons of 6th Regiment) and eventually the western Danish division under Colonel Juel (consisting of the 7th Battalion, 12th Light Battalion and 4 cannons).

On this particular day the 7 th May 1849, the Danes did not face Holsteiners, but the Prussian 3rd Division and its reserve cavalry. This was under the command of the Prussian General Hirschfeldt and numbered 12 Battalions, 8 Squadrons, 24 canons, and his reserve had 10 squadrons cavalry and 24 canons. The enemy forces greatly outnumbered the Danish.

At least 2 companies of the Prussian Grenadier Regiment Prinz Karl von Preussen No. 12 ( 2nd Brandenburgische) were armed with the needle gun Pattern 1841. After this battle more or less won by the Prussians the Danish forces were withdrawn further north. During the fighting the German firepower was not noted to be in any way superior to that of the Danish troops, so I think it is fair to say that the Prussian needle gun played no particular part in this first war. In the 1864 War the improved patterns were more successful.

At least two needle guns were captured that day by the Danes and sent to Copenhagen for further testing. After the trials the Danish Artillery and Construction Committee concluded that these guns were much too complicated and were in no way better than the Danish Muzzle loading rifles model 1848 ( the so called Tapriffel constructed in accordance with the Thouvenin principle).

-Finis-