Post by Bozur on Aug 20, 2018 15:23:52 GMT -5
Forgotten Weapons
Published on Jun 20, 2016
The pair sold at auction for $2,185.
This is quite the eye-catching pair of revolvers...
The Model 1870 Gasser was a behemoth of a pistol designed by Leopold Gasser for the Austro-Hungarian cavalry - it was built around the 11x36mm cartridge used in their Werndl cavalry carbines. This cartridge was a middle ground between rifle and pistol; light enough to not produce punishing recoil when fired from a short and light carbine, but fairly huge for a revolver. But it was not in the hands of those cavalry troops that these guns gained their notoriety.
Instead it was during the reign of King Nicholas of Montenegro from 1910 to 1918 that they saw their prominence appear. Nicolas decreed that all his male subjects must own a Gasser-pattern revolver under penalty of law. This was ostensively a move to make the tiny Montenegrin kingdom less vulnerable to conquest by any one of its larger neighbors, but allegedly may have also had something to do with the King owning stock in the Gasser firm.
At any rate, the law called for Gasser-*pattern* guns (not necessarily the real thing), and so a substantial demand flourished for Spanish and Belgian guns of that basic design. They were made in a huge variety of flavors; solid frame and hinged, long barrels and short, and many different specific cartridges, finishes, and levels of embellishment. With every man required to own one, the revolver naturally became a status symbol, with the more well-off showing their wealth through a highly decorated sidearm.
Whether you appreciate the style of these two or not, they certainly catch the eye!
Published on Jun 20, 2016
The pair sold at auction for $2,185.
This is quite the eye-catching pair of revolvers...
The Model 1870 Gasser was a behemoth of a pistol designed by Leopold Gasser for the Austro-Hungarian cavalry - it was built around the 11x36mm cartridge used in their Werndl cavalry carbines. This cartridge was a middle ground between rifle and pistol; light enough to not produce punishing recoil when fired from a short and light carbine, but fairly huge for a revolver. But it was not in the hands of those cavalry troops that these guns gained their notoriety.
Instead it was during the reign of King Nicholas of Montenegro from 1910 to 1918 that they saw their prominence appear. Nicolas decreed that all his male subjects must own a Gasser-pattern revolver under penalty of law. This was ostensively a move to make the tiny Montenegrin kingdom less vulnerable to conquest by any one of its larger neighbors, but allegedly may have also had something to do with the King owning stock in the Gasser firm.
At any rate, the law called for Gasser-*pattern* guns (not necessarily the real thing), and so a substantial demand flourished for Spanish and Belgian guns of that basic design. They were made in a huge variety of flavors; solid frame and hinged, long barrels and short, and many different specific cartridges, finishes, and levels of embellishment. With every man required to own one, the revolver naturally became a status symbol, with the more well-off showing their wealth through a highly decorated sidearm.
Whether you appreciate the style of these two or not, they certainly catch the eye!
Comments:
Werner Voss
2 years ago
Somehow I can't help but imagine the grim spectacle of the fierce Montenegran defenders facing off against the Communists with bedazzled Gassers.
2 years ago
Somehow I can't help but imagine the grim spectacle of the fierce Montenegran defenders facing off against the Communists with bedazzled Gassers.
mihajlo olujic
2 years ago
Yes, the Chetniks of Montenegro did that in WW2.
2 years ago
Yes, the Chetniks of Montenegro did that in WW2.
Ivan Stevanovic
11 months ago
Actually you really should learn more about history of former yugoslavian countries,Montenegrans were fighting against nazis as a communist partisans as well as monarchist chetnics,two sides with political differences but with a same goal -to kick some nazi fascist ass back to their beloved Germany....so a lot of these Gassers were worn by some young badass montenegran partisans so I think you should rather imagine them facing german nazis....you know,concetration extermination camp guys,or that just isn't cool any more,history and stuff.
11 months ago
Actually you really should learn more about history of former yugoslavian countries,Montenegrans were fighting against nazis as a communist partisans as well as monarchist chetnics,two sides with political differences but with a same goal -to kick some nazi fascist ass back to their beloved Germany....so a lot of these Gassers were worn by some young badass montenegran partisans so I think you should rather imagine them facing german nazis....you know,concetration extermination camp guys,or that just isn't cool any more,history and stuff.
GothAlice
2 years ago
The engraved example would have been stunning when new; the inlay details like the cross-hatching on the grip are still quite impressive.
2 years ago
The engraved example would have been stunning when new; the inlay details like the cross-hatching on the grip are still quite impressive.
P Musikic
1 year ago
Montenegrin people are the bravest people in the world.. Everyone should read more about their history and they will see how many wars and battles did Montenegrin lead and won, of course. Btw, King Nikolas ,,I,, ruled the Montenegro country from 1861 to 1918 (57 years)
1 year ago
Montenegrin people are the bravest people in the world.. Everyone should read more about their history and they will see how many wars and battles did Montenegrin lead and won, of course. Btw, King Nikolas ,,I,, ruled the Montenegro country from 1861 to 1918 (57 years)
vogonjelc
11 months ago
Hello Ian, few things about weapon laws in Montenegro from the time of prince/king Nicolas I of Montenegro. Actually every male Montenegrin had to have a weapon, to fight against Ottoman empire mainly. And the reason why that gun had to be purchased was the second one. King/Prince liked to flees his subjects. Long story about our rulers.
11 months ago
Hello Ian, few things about weapon laws in Montenegro from the time of prince/king Nicolas I of Montenegro. Actually every male Montenegrin had to have a weapon, to fight against Ottoman empire mainly. And the reason why that gun had to be purchased was the second one. King/Prince liked to flees his subjects. Long story about our rulers.
luka pavicic
2 years ago
Hello Ian!
Glad to see some Balkan arms on the show. I take an amateur interest and just wanted to add something.
Although Montenegro was never totally conquered by theOttoman empire, it had its frontiers occupied and was utterly surrounded.
Much of the weaponry carried through the centuries are characterized as Ottoman weapons and often have their origins in the middle east.
That is the influence of the grips. The jewels set, the silver, the engravings, that is all seen across the centuries and the various corners of the Ottoman empire.
Montenegrins as you mentioned, much like americans cherish their arms. That said, arms had a greater role in society and were commonly used as a display of wealth, as seen with these Gasser pistols.
This phenomena is seen in the Caucuses with silver gripped shashkas, in Yemen and the rest of the arab world with ornate Jambyas. In Montenegro, men would tuck this yataghans (short sabres) and daggers of all sorts and later pistols like these into their holsters (silav, bensilah) which were behind their sashes (trombolos) and display the weapons. This was a sign of respect not concealing arms) and allowed quick access if needed. Something not uncommon through the centuries of constant war and tribal feuds.
Here are some pictures:
2 years ago
Hello Ian!
Glad to see some Balkan arms on the show. I take an amateur interest and just wanted to add something.
Although Montenegro was never totally conquered by theOttoman empire, it had its frontiers occupied and was utterly surrounded.
Much of the weaponry carried through the centuries are characterized as Ottoman weapons and often have their origins in the middle east.
That is the influence of the grips. The jewels set, the silver, the engravings, that is all seen across the centuries and the various corners of the Ottoman empire.
Montenegrins as you mentioned, much like americans cherish their arms. That said, arms had a greater role in society and were commonly used as a display of wealth, as seen with these Gasser pistols.
This phenomena is seen in the Caucuses with silver gripped shashkas, in Yemen and the rest of the arab world with ornate Jambyas. In Montenegro, men would tuck this yataghans (short sabres) and daggers of all sorts and later pistols like these into their holsters (silav, bensilah) which were behind their sashes (trombolos) and display the weapons. This was a sign of respect not concealing arms) and allowed quick access if needed. Something not uncommon through the centuries of constant war and tribal feuds.
Here are some pictures:
Bozidar Jevtic
2 years ago
I don't know if you know anyone from Montenegro, this pistols reflect their character. Now, for the pistols, gasers with so mutch of engraving probably belonged to perjanicima, personal king Nikolas guard. And, for the sheer size of it. Serbs from Montenegro, and Serbs in general are considered to be among tallest people on earth. Greetings from Serbia
2 years ago
I don't know if you know anyone from Montenegro, this pistols reflect their character. Now, for the pistols, gasers with so mutch of engraving probably belonged to perjanicima, personal king Nikolas guard. And, for the sheer size of it. Serbs from Montenegro, and Serbs in general are considered to be among tallest people on earth. Greetings from Serbia