L. Gasser Model 1898 8mm Revolver

[sheepherder]

...A new acquisition...

This particular revolver has already been discussed at Jan Still's Forum -

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=25107

I bid on this and then went looking for information...and found that the seller had posted it looking for information...

Chip out of one grip; somewhat homemade ejector assembly release (small pin on bottom of ejector rod); pretty fair bore; no finish whatsoever (unless they browned it at the factory); no lanyard ring or stud (maybe not present on commercial models?); all parts present, original & matching, and functional...

Approximately 20+ years ago, I saw one of these at a gun show...It had a longer barrel, and had been converted to 22 Long Rifle...The sideplate was bent, and wouldn't close right...The seller wanted $75 for it...I passed...

...But it stayed in my memory...Now that I'm accumulating turn-of-the-century handguns, and already have a half dozen or so semi-autos, I decided I should get a Gasser revolver...

They are stamped as L. Gasser up until approximately 1903, then are stamped Rast & Gasser...There are military & commercial models...This is a commercial...

8mm rimmed cartridge; .320" dia bullet. They will chamber & shoot 32 S&W Long cartridges (or so I've read in many places); Fiochhi also makes the 8mm ammunition.

Interesting Austrian revolver; 8-shot, with an "Abidie" loading gate...

A favorite of Austrian gunfighters...(I made that up)...

(If by some chance someone needs a detailed parts disassembly to the mostly bare frame, I just happen to have had my digi-cam out when I cleaned it...)

[Douglas Jr.]

I think you did nice.
These were well made guns. Congratulations!
Douglas

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Douglas Jr.

I think you did nice.
These were well made guns. Congratulations!
Douglas

They are certainly intricately machined...Not very complex; just some challenging milling operations...

I was examining the rear end of the barrel (to see if it was screwed or pinned in) and noticed that there is no 'forcing cone' as seen on Colt and S&W revolvers...The lands are tapered down to the level of the grooves for about 1/2" to 5/8" at the back, but no real 'cone'...Just a sharp edge...

I had seen a forcing cone reamer setup at Brownells (I thought), but can't find it now...It was a tapered cutter/reamer that cut 'forwards' and had a mandrel that fit down the barrel with a bushing at the muzzle...You pushed the mandrel down the barrel, threaded the reamer on, and twirled the mandrel to cut the forcing cone...

I was thinking that might be a good idea for this old revolver...

[sheepherder]

There is a thread on Jan's forum of a 'snub nosed' Gasser that looked pretty neat; barrel chopped back about 1 1/4" (to ejector abutment), butt shortened 5/8", and new front sight installed to barrel...

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...ast-amp-Gasser

Here's a pic of it...(First pic)...

Second pic is what I would do to the trigger guard (in addition to barrel chop & grip shorten) if I were to convert one... (These trigger guards are enormous)...

I plan to have a lot of free time on my hands come December, and am looking for another Gasser (or Rast & Gasser) revolver, either to convert or a better one and I'll convert my present one...

[Jan C Still]

Rich
Thanks for posting your L. Gasser Model 1898 Austrian revolver.
These are covered on pages 362-364 and 369-371 of Central Powers Pistols
Jan