MONTENEGRIN GASSER

Claymore33

Claymore33

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My cousin has inherited a Montenegrin Gasser revolver.
It is engraved. As far as I can tell they were made from 1890-1910 in Europe. Would like for SME (subject matter expert) on European revolvers to educate me on this weapon.
 

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That is the best looking one I have ever seen! Obviously, a pin fire. Most of, if not all the military ones were centerfire. Most likely a little earlier than 1880.

Only collector ammo available! Some of us know a little about making ammo, but it is a pain staking process.

Ivan
 
Here's a fun fact that explains why these revolvers are today still relatively plentiful.
King Nicolas the 1st of Montenegro held part ownership in the Gasser manufacturing company that made these revolvers. He passed a decree that all male citizens of Montenegro had to purchase one of these revolvers. Obstensibly, this was for "national defense". But, it was well understood to be a little more than that, at least for the king.

PS: I think these pinfire versions are very early, ie: from the 1870s.

Yes, that one is very nice!

Here's some info on reloading pinfire cartridges:
Reloading kit for 7, 9, 11mm pinfire cartridges - revive your vintage Lefaucheux revolvers - - H.L. Publishing
 
The Montenegrin "centerfire" cartridge goes by many names, but usually "11mm" is part of the name. Bore diameter runs as tight as .442" and as large as .449". Cases can be formed from 45-70 or 7.62 x 54r (aka: 7.62 Moisin Nagant).
It might be possible to drop in a 44-40 and make it go bang, but it's definitely not the correct cartridge.
Accurate Bullet Mold company can make a correct diameter bullet mold custom fitted for your specific revolver. Their prices are quite reasonable.
But, everything I mention is specific to the centerfire cartridge. The pinfire is a different question, although I believe the details about bullet diameter are correct for both cartridges.

By the way, attached is a picture of King Nicolas the 1st with a Montenegrin Gasser revolver. :)

Addendum (correction??): After some digging, I found a couple Montenigrins that were stamped "For .44 Winchester Cartridge" on the top of the barrel. But, the stamping looks different than the other markings. And, these all seem to be licensed copies made in Belgium.
 

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Does your friends Montenegrin Gasser have a crown with the initials NI on the top of the barrel? It is the royal marking for King Nicolas. This seems to have some significance as to whether intended for use in Montenegro or for export. Or, its absence may indicate manufacture by an outside firm.
 
Well, this is getting interesting….
My brother used to be an active cartridge collector.
Here’s some info on just a few of the various cartridges that could be found for the different versions of the Montenegrin Gasser revolver, including rimfire.
This info is from a privately published treatise that my brother gave me, researched by someone else under the auspices of the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum.

There’s nothing, though, that I have about a pinfire cartridge specific to your revolver. Maybe yours was made under license in Belgium?
 

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It is a very nice looking pinfire and certainly does resemble the later Gasser revolvers right down to the unusual safety bar on the frame. I am curious whether it is actually a true Gasser made revolver. Does it have any markings identifying it as a genuine Gasser product? What, if any, proofmarks does it have? It may be a predecessor to the 1870 center fire Gasser revolvers. The pinfires had the peak of their popularity in the 1850's and 60's before fading out as center fire designs became more popular. It is a very interesting revolver.
 
It looks to me to have some markings perhaps proof marks on the left side flat of the bbl right up against the frame.
Also a 2 letter marking ( OA (?) just under that on the support portion of the bbl.
Enlarging the pic lets you see it but I can be sure of what I'm seeing on the bbl flat. There is some engraving just above that on the oblique flat .
...and maybe there's nothing there and old eyes and digital pics are playing mean games again!

These original guns were Proofed in the Vienna Proof Hs and will have those particular proof markings on them.
A revolver from the orig maker/factory should be marked as such on the top of the bbl as well.

Then, as now, Fakes likely flooded the market as the demand for these particular style revolvers was great for a time as explained above.
'In Style' to be worn by Royal Decree, it was a must have.
Small makers certainly stepped up to supply less than stellar pieces of product. This one not being one of those from the looks of it. It appears to be a very well made and engraved revolver.

The pattern was also licensed to makers in Belgium and several makers there in Liege made them.
Some of the Belgian makers will have marked them with their full makers name.
Others will have only their makers 'code' on the gun somewhere usually on the frame. Generally a simple 2 letter initial for their maker. Not unusual to find it under the grips panel.
The 'OA' marking would be a good bet for a Belgian Markers Mark but I don't find that particular one listed and it's not punched on frame as far as the pics show.

Many of these were made in Spain as well. Some by license, many not.
Spanish makers also often marked their small arms with a simple makers code of 2 and sometimes 3 letters. These often in an oval or circle.
Spanish Revolver Proof Marks would be on the gun if of a later mfg.

These Gasser Revolvers were a common item at gun shows in the 60's thru the 80's. Tables with assorted antique firearms of no particular theme always seemed to have one or two.
They have quite a history right through to WW1 and beyond actually.
 
I saw one at an estate sale 15-20 years back at a giveaway price. I passed it up. It had inlaid cabochon colored stones for decoration. I remember thinking that was something you don't often see.
 
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