Anyone with info on Montenegrin revolvers?

Steinar · 10-06-2004, 08:36 AM

This is a HUGE old revolver I got, don't know much about it, except the caliber is 11.75.

It got NO marking as I can tell

Steinar · 10-06-2004, 08:39 AM

btw.. I THINK it's Montenegrin, don't realy know for sure

ratdog · 10-06-2004, 12:18 PM

You have the largest reference book at your fingertips---------THE INTERNET!!!!!

Steinar · 10-07-2004, 03:33 AM

In this case.. the reference book gives me no clues on what kind of gun this is.

Maybe it's a "cover-up", and this big old thing is the real reason why dinosaurs died out

btw. It surprises me if anyone got information about it, it was just a shot in the dark.. and no big deal actually.
I kinda like the gun anyway, without revealing it's secrets

John -Melb · 10-07-2004, 08:06 AM

I think it's a M1870 Austrian Gasser.

Compare it to the picture at
http://home.alltel.net/randyric/pm1870.htm

Steinar · 10-07-2004, 09:51 AM

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
It sure looks a lot lite the Gasser M1870 with iron frame!!

Some things are different, but it sure looks a lot like the one on the picture. Must be some other kind of Gasser!
I still can't find any markings or numbers on it, but that might be because of rust that once was on the iron. Thanks! My favorite revolver now got a name

montenegrin · 10-08-2004, 08:45 AM

Hello,
this is definitely a "Montenegrin Gasser". It was probably not made by the original maker, L. Gasser of Vienna but is rather a Liege made copy, which were numerous; I could tell you more from a better picture. I pressume this one is 6-shot (most Belgian copies were 5-shot). Probable date of production is c.1885-1914. Most were exported to the Balkans and the Near-Middle East. It is intersting that the Turks used quite some of them during WWI, including the Gallipoli campaign.
Regards,
montenegrin

John D. · 10-08-2004, 08:52 AM

Wow...

Talk about a terrific first post..!!

Welcome "montenegrin" to the Forum!!!

montenegrin · 10-08-2004, 05:03 PM

Thank you, John D. It is my pleasure.
With kind regards from the Old World,
montenegrin

Jack Lawman · 10-08-2004, 05:20 PM

Jani,
I knew you'd like it here <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> .

Cheers,
Jack

montenegrin · 10-08-2004, 05:48 PM

Jack,
since you guided me here, you will get a free beer when you come visit me. OK, a couple of them.
With kind regards,
Jani

G.W. Gill · 10-09-2004, 01:12 AM

OK, Now I'm hooked, I have an Austrian with an interesting history. Lets have pics and see where we go from there... Mine ended up in the Confederate trenches here. It had been all over Europe before ending up here. Can we dig this one up out of history? Like archeologists.

montenegrin · 10-09-2004, 04:47 AM

G.W. Gill:
if hooked, for a start maybe you should read an article on Model 1870 Gasser, in The American Rifleman, Feb. 1985, authored by Jani Hartman (by the way, that's me). Since then I've uncovered a lot of new data from reliable sources, including Montenegrin State Archives, so if you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Gasser made some percussion revolvers in the early 1860s so it's not impossible that any were used in the Confederate trenches, more so due to Caleb Huse of Confederate fame buying thousands of firearms in Vienna in the same period.
With kind regards,
Jani

Steinar · 10-09-2004, 06:04 AM

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
I'm truly suprised! Had this old revolver for years without knowing what it is, then within a day or two on the forum, it's history became revealed! Thanks for the helpful information!
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> Welcome to the forum montenegin!

I have never fired it, and I have no intentions in doing so. It looks like it has had some rough 140 years or so. Some more pictures, it's taken with my phone, so the quality is not so good..

montenegrin · 10-09-2004, 08:11 AM

Thanks, Morgan. From what I can see (your photos are quite dark on my monitor) this is a Belgian version/copy of a Montenegrin Gasser revolver, six-shot, solid frame, bone grips. The barrel is probably shortened from original 9 1/2" which was about standard for this particular configuration (there are many versions, the most common being Belgian solid frame with 5-shot cylinder, barrel about 5").Also the extractor rod seems to be a replacement.
By the way, the name "Montenegrin Gasser" comes from the fact that in 1873 the Balkan principality of Montenegro introduced the Gasser revolver into its army, where it remained standard till WWI; it was owned and carried by most soldiers, not just officers. Montenegro bought only Viennese made revolvers, Belgian copies were purchased privately. Thousands of Gasser revolvers were also obtained by neighboring Albanians.

Steinar · 10-09-2004, 09:31 AM

Interesting information!
I guess it's not worth much in $$$, since it's probably a copy of Montenegrin Gasser?
No matter what it's worth, it's still an interesting object in my colection

montenegrin · 10-09-2004, 10:15 AM

Morgan: Guns such as yours are indeed not very valuable (maybe $200 or so)but nevertheless quite interesting. Nice original specimens go for $500-1000, more if they are in realy nice condition and/or decorated (some have fancy silver grips made by Albanian silversmiths).

Steinar · 10-11-2004, 04:16 AM

thanks again for the information! I have written it down on a pice of paper that now lays in the holster

10-06-2004, 08:36 AM	#1
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Anyone with info on Montenegrin revolvers? This is a HUGE old revolver I got, don't know much about it, except the caliber is 11.75. It got NO marking as I can tell __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-06-2004, 08:39 AM	#2
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	btw.. I THINK it's Montenegrin, don't realy know for sure __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-07-2004, 03:33 AM	#4
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	In this case.. the reference book gives me no clues on what kind of gun this is. Maybe it's a "cover-up", and this big old thing is the real reason why dinosaurs died out btw. It surprises me if anyone got information about it, it was just a shot in the dark.. and no big deal actually. I kinda like the gun anyway, without revealing it's secrets __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-07-2004, 09:51 AM	#6
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> It sure looks a lot lite the Gasser M1870 with iron frame!! Some things are different, but it sure looks a lot like the one on the picture. Must be some other kind of Gasser! I still can't find any markings or numbers on it, but that might be because of rust that once was on the iron. Thanks! My favorite revolver now got a name __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-08-2004, 05:20 PM	#10
Jack Lawman User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Near NYC Posts: 428 Thanks: 30 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Jani, I knew you'd like it here <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> . Cheers, Jack __________________ Why do you guys hate black circles so much?

10-06-2004, 12:18 PM	#3
ratdog User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	You have the largest reference book at your fingertips---------THE INTERNET!!!!!

10-07-2004, 08:06 AM	#5
John -Melb User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Peoples Republic of Australia! Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think it's a M1870 Austrian Gasser. Compare it to the picture at http://home.alltel.net/randyric/pm1870.htm

10-08-2004, 08:45 AM	#7
montenegrin User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello, this is definitely a "Montenegrin Gasser". It was probably not made by the original maker, L. Gasser of Vienna but is rather a Liege made copy, which were numerous; I could tell you more from a better picture. I pressume this one is 6-shot (most Belgian copies were 5-shot). Probable date of production is c.1885-1914. Most were exported to the Balkans and the Near-Middle East. It is intersting that the Turks used quite some of them during WWI, including the Gallipoli campaign. Regards, montenegrin

10-08-2004, 08:52 AM	#8
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 473 Thanked 513 Times in 127 Posts	Wow... Talk about a terrific first post..!! Welcome "montenegrin" to the Forum!!!

10-08-2004, 05:03 PM	#9
montenegrin User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you, John D. It is my pleasure. With kind regards from the Old World, montenegrin

10-08-2004, 05:48 PM	#11
montenegrin User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jack, since you guided me here, you will get a free beer when you come visit me. OK, a couple of them. With kind regards, Jani

10-09-2004, 01:12 AM	#12
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK, Now I'm hooked, I have an Austrian with an interesting history. Lets have pics and see where we go from there... Mine ended up in the Confederate trenches here. It had been all over Europe before ending up here. Can we dig this one up out of history? Like archeologists.

10-09-2004, 04:47 AM	#13
montenegrin User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	G.W. Gill: if hooked, for a start maybe you should read an article on Model 1870 Gasser, in The American Rifleman, Feb. 1985, authored by Jani Hartman (by the way, that's me). Since then I've uncovered a lot of new data from reliable sources, including Montenegrin State Archives, so if you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Gasser made some percussion revolvers in the early 1860s so it's not impossible that any were used in the Confederate trenches, more so due to Caleb Huse of Confederate fame buying thousands of firearms in Vienna in the same period. With kind regards, Jani

10-09-2004, 06:04 AM	#14
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> I'm truly suprised! Had this old revolver for years without knowing what it is, then within a day or two on the forum, it's history became revealed! Thanks for the helpful information! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> Welcome to the forum montenegin! I have never fired it, and I have no intentions in doing so. It looks like it has had some rough 140 years or so. Some more pictures, it's taken with my phone, so the quality is not so good.. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-09-2004, 08:11 AM	#15
montenegrin User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Morgan. From what I can see (your photos are quite dark on my monitor) this is a Belgian version/copy of a Montenegrin Gasser revolver, six-shot, solid frame, bone grips. The barrel is probably shortened from original 9 1/2" which was about standard for this particular configuration (there are many versions, the most common being Belgian solid frame with 5-shot cylinder, barrel about 5").Also the extractor rod seems to be a replacement. By the way, the name "Montenegrin Gasser" comes from the fact that in 1873 the Balkan principality of Montenegro introduced the Gasser revolver into its army, where it remained standard till WWI; it was owned and carried by most soldiers, not just officers. Montenegro bought only Viennese made revolvers, Belgian copies were purchased privately. Thousands of Gasser revolvers were also obtained by neighboring Albanians.

10-09-2004, 09:31 AM	#16
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Interesting information! I guess it's not worth much in $$$, since it's probably a copy of Montenegrin Gasser? No matter what it's worth, it's still an interesting object in my colection __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-09-2004, 10:15 AM	#17
montenegrin User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Morgan: Guns such as yours are indeed not very valuable (maybe $200 or so)but nevertheless quite interesting. Nice original specimens go for $500-1000, more if they are in realy nice condition and/or decorated (some have fancy silver grips made by Albanian silversmiths).

10-11-2004, 04:16 AM	#18
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	thanks again for the information! I have written it down on a pice of paper that now lays in the holster __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane