utm fk

18 G&A February 2020 | Gun room
designation refers to the
location of one of Leopold
Gasser’s factories, the other
being in Vienna —“Wien.”
Most Montenegrin Gassers
encountered were copies
or hybrids manufactured
in Belgium, often bearing
spurious markings. There
were many variants; some
UNKNOWN BELGIAN-MFG. MODEL 1873 (COMMERCIAL), 30%: $400
were top-breaks, others
had solid frames. These
guns were highly popular in
the Balkans and many can
be found with some very
elaborate decoration. While
the first Gassers were used
by the Austro-Hungarians,
some were sold by Gasser to
Montenegro, and it is there
they achieved their greatest
renown. Caliber was usually
11mm, but other chamberings
are also seen.
FRENCH POLICE
REVOLVER?
Q: I have a revolver that my
grandfather gave me about
60 years ago. He bought it
from a European immigrant
in Detroit about 85 years
ago and was told it was a
French police pistol. The
only name is on the barrel
and it says “Acier Fondu”,
which is French for “cast
steel.” It has quite a bit of
engraving, ivory grips, the
inside is jeweled, and it was
originally plated. Serial no.
is 9XXX, caliber is approximately
.38 or 9mm, and
it appears to be rimfire.
The famous Liege-Belgium
proofmark is on the face
of cylinder. It is a six-shot,
double action, with hinged
side plate, possibly a
Galand-type lock. Perhaps
it is made by Francotte
& ronge and is similar to
Danish model 1880. I would
appreciate any information
you could provide about
the unusual pistol.
J.V.
Robards, Kentucky
A: The photos you sent
show me a pistol that looks
much like the French Model
1873 service revolver. The
rearward opening loading
gate, removable sideplate
and ejector rod, along with
the gun’s general silhouette
lead me to surmise it may
be a down-sized Belgian
product inspired by the
11mm M1873 — though I
will admit the internals are
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