Austro-Hungarian Gasser Revolvers |
Type: open-frame wrought iron revolver Made by Leopold Gasser, Wien, Austria, 1870-1873 Caliber: 11.2x29.5mm ('Montenegrin') Length overall: 375mm Weight unloaded: 1300g [45.9oz] Barrel: 235mm, rifled Magazine: 5-chamber cylinder Photos courtesy of CollectibleFirearms.com |
A later revolver with slight changes
It was an open-frame model, with the barrel unit attached to the frame by a screw beneath the cylinder arbor. The arbor pin was screwed into the barrel
unit and fitted into a recess in the standing breech. The cylinder was gate-loaded from the right side, and a rod ejector was carried beneath the barrel.
A unique safety bar will usually be found on the right of the frame, below the cylinder. This carries pins which pass through holes in the frame to
engage the lock mechanism. Slightly retracting the hammer allows one of these pins to move inward, preventing the hammer moving forward again when released.
The pistol can thereafter be carried safely when loaded. Pressure on the trigger withdraws the pin from the path of the hammer before firing. The M1870
Gasser became the Austro-Hungarian cavalry revolver. It chambered an 11.2mm centerfire cartridge, later usually called the '11mm Montenegrin', a long cartridge
which had earlier been used in Fruwirth carbines. The frame stamped: 'L. GASSER WIEN'.
A shorter barrel version of the revolver Made by Leopold Gasser, Wien, Austria Overall length: 325mm [12.6"] Barrel: 185mm [7.28"] rifled Magazine: 5-chamber cylinder |
Acceptance date - Serial number correspondence: LG70 - 13500 LG71 - 33668
Reproduction holster