ANTIQUE (no PAL) Gasser 1873 Montenegrin 11mm/.455 Webley Single & Double Action

This single and double action Gasser model 1873 Montenegrin is a beefy, robust revolver that will shoot .455 Webley. These were made  in Vienna, Austria to fulfill contracts usually bound for Austria-Hungary or Montenegro. Chambered in 11.3x36mmR Montenegrin, these guns also chamber and shoot the very similar .455 Webley which can be purchased online and reloaded in black powder to be safe for the cast steel frame. As a pre-1898 Antique, this revolver can be purchased and owned without licensing or registration - comes with FRT papers proving antique status.

This is an 1873 model with the solid top and pivoting ejector rod. While many copies (licensed and otherwise) of the m/1870s and even m/1873s were made, it can be hard to determine manufacture date. It was made in Austria as told by the marks on the side reading "PATENT VIEN", and likely got Liege proofs to be sold in Belgium or exported post-production. The Montenegrin Gasser patent in Wien (Vienna), Austria was held by Leopold Gasser whose business operated there from 1862 until 1897. This hulkish handgun was made between 1893-1897.

These guns were based on the 1870 Gasser revolver which was the choice of the Austo-Hungarian army, and became popular in Montenegro over the decades. Eventually the King of Montenegro declared that every male citizen of Montenegro was a member of the Militia, and therefore not only justified but also obliged to possess at least one Gasser Pattern revolver. This may have been because Gassers were already the most owned guns in the country, but also could have been in part due to sizeable shares in Leopold Gasser's company by that point!

The mechanics are operable in single and double action with reliable indexing and very few hangups. The cylinder has about 1/16" of play at lockup, and gets tighter when the hammer is dropped, with functioning ejector and side gate. Rifling is still quite strong though with evidence of black powder use throughout the barrel. The bone grips show evidence of cracking and repairs. The surface is smooth with minimal pitting, with patent marks and logo on the left side still visible. The serial 196xx is stamped on the cylinder.

No PAL, 18+

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(Tags: .41, .44, .442, .45, .450, .455, .476, Eley, Boxer, Adams, Kynoch, Russian, British, French, German, Reichsrevolver, Canadian, American, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Colt)