Gasser M1870

Gasser M1870
A Gasser revolver displayed at the National museum of Military History of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
TypeRevolver
Place of originAustria-Hungary
Service history
In service1870–1918
Used byAustria-Hungary
WarsBoxer Rebellion
World War I (limited use)
Production history
DesignerLeopold Gasser
ManufacturerLeopold Gasser Waffenfabrik
Produced1870–1919
VariantsLong and short barrel versions
Specifications (Long barrel version)
Mass1.3 kg (2.9 lb)
Length375 mm (14.8 in)
Barrel length235 mm (9.3 in)

Cartridge11.3×36mmR
Muzzle velocity1070 ft/s (326 m/s)
Feed system6 round cylinder
SightsIron 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]

  1. ^ "Gasser Revolvers Austro-Hungarian Army Weapons". Hungariae.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  2. ^ Ezell, Edward Clinton (1993). Handguns of the world : military revolvers and self-loaders from 1870 to 1945. New York: Barnes & Noble. pp. 90–93. ISBN 0-88029-618-6. OCLC 28565725.
  3. ^ Zhuk, A. B. (1995). The illustrated encyclopedia of handguns : pistols and revolvers of the world, 1870 to the present. John Walter. London: Greenhill Books. pp. 43–45. ISBN 1-85367-187-8. OCLC 59948136.