Large Frame**FACTORY NICKEL PLATED**1881-1900 Antoine BERTRAND Liege Belgium ‘Montenegrin Gasser’ 5 shot, 11mm Obsolete Calibre Double Action Military Revolver. Sn 21476 11 mm Revolver

**Large Frame**FACTORY NICKEL PLATED**1881-1900 Antoine BERTRAND Liege Belgium ‘Montenegrin Gasser’ 5 shot, 11mm Obsolete Calibre Double Action Military Revolver. Sn 21476 - 21476

Antoine BERTRAND was a Liege gunmaker recorded at 25 Rue Fabry 1881-1900. The title 'Montenegrin Gasser' covers a variety of large calibre revolvers. In 1910 King Nicholas I of Montenegro proclaimed that all male citizens were the Militia and had a right and a duty to own a Gasser Pattern revolver. The standard issue in the Montenegrin military was the Austrian Gasser Model 1870 in 11mm which became known as the Montenegrin Gasser. The sudden demand was met by producers in Austria, Belgium and Spain. Single and double-action locks were used, grips were often in wood, ivory or bone, engraved decoration was common, and the predominant impression was one of weight and bulk. Gasser revolvers were used by the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War 1 and by various Armies including Italy & Yugoslavia in World War 2. The pistols were produced by the firm Leopold Gasser Waffenfabrik in Vienna from 1898 to 1912 and in the same period by Liege gunmakers. This is a very good typically large frame Montenegrin Gasser revolver. The metal work has original factory nickel plating tarnished in areas with age and undamaged polished bone grips. The butt is fitted with military lanyard ring. The metal work has areas of foliate engraved decoration, Liege inspection marks and numbers ‘7’ & ‘149’. It also has the AB pierced by arrow trade mark of the Liege gunmaker Antoine BERTRAND (all illustrated in the images). Its 5” barrel has a large triangular block fore sight and the rear sight consists of a groove in the top of the cylinder frame. The barrel’s bore has just staining consistent with age and crisp rifling. The pistol measures 9” overall length. The pistol is side gate loading and its cocking & firing mechanisms work correctly in both single and double action. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre weapon no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21476

£875.00