Gasser M1870 | |
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Type | Revolver |
Place of origin | Austria-Hungary |
Service history | |
In service | 1870–1918 |
Used by | Austria-Hungary |
Wars | Boxer Rebellion World War I (limited use) |
Production history | |
Designer | Leopold Gasser |
Manufacturer | Leopold Gasser Waffenfabrik |
Produced | 1870–1919 |
Variants | Long and short barrel versions |
Specifications (Long barrel version) | |
Mass | 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) |
Length | 375 mm (14.8 in) |
Barrel length | 235 mm (9.3 in) |
Cartridge | 11.3×36mmR |
Muzzle velocity | 1070 ft/s (326 m/s) |
Feed system | 6 round cylinder |
Sights | Iron sights |
The Gasser M1870 was a revolver chambered for 11.3×36mmR and was adopted by the Austro-Hungarian cavalry in 1870. 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 a long 11.25 millimetres (0.443 in) centerfire cartridge which had earlier been used in Fruwirth carbines.[1][2][3]