POTD: Danish Loebnitz M1841 Pair – Breechloading Underhammers
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a pair of rare Danish military Loebnitz Patent Model 1841 breech loading underhammer percussion pistols, serial numbers just eight apart. Nicolaj Johan Loebnitz of Copenhagen patented the breech loading system in 1833 with the underhammer system patented in 1841.
The breech system uses a lever on the right receiver for unlocking the barrel from the fixed gas-sealing breech block, allowing the barrel to tip upward for loading. The underhammer cocks using the pointer finger, and the mainspring and trigger are one piece with a sear notch. This differs from the visually similar Norwegian Kammerlader rifles attributed to Frederick W. Scheel made around the same time.
Both pistols feature octagon barrels with 6-groove rifling in approximately .66 caliber. This example is marked “M-1841/B-1842-264” on the left action with royal cyphers of Danish King Christian VIII (reigned 1839-1848). Matching serial numbers appear on various components with “219” stamped in the left grip.
These pistols saw service in the First Schleswig War (March 24, 1848 – May 8, 1851), also called the Schleswig-Holstein Uprising or Three Years War, taking place around southern Denmark and northern Germany. Denmark emerged victorious. They also served in the Second Schleswig War (February 1, 1864 – October 30, 1864).
The breechloading design gave Danish troops faster reloading compared to muzzleloaders, though by the 1860s metallic cartridge weapons were making even advanced percussion designs obsolete.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Pair of Rare Danish Loebnitz Patent 1841 Breech Loading Pistols.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4096/3269/pair-of-rare-danish-loebnitz-patent-1841-breech-loading-pistols. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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