Can anyone identify this one?

[Ridge]

Guy down the road has this for sale for $100.00

I couldn't find a single picture of this particular gun anywhere.

The barrel says: 44 Winchester Cartridge.

Also says Belgian

Anyone know what this is and maybe an approximate value?

[Cuda66]

Montenegrin Gasser.

Caliber is .44-40.

From GunsAmerica...a much nicer one went for $550...

Leopold Gasser of Vienna and St. Polten operated 2 factories which produced approx. 100,000 revolvers annually from the 1880's to the 1890's. These were widely distributed through central Europe and the Balkans and were used by the Austro-Hungarian Army. Most common type was the "Montenegrin-Gasser". After 1903, the company became Rast & Gasser until about 1912, when they went out of business. The "Montenegrin Gasser" revolvers were large-frame, large caliber, with 6-shot cylinders, usually in 11 mm. The first Model was the M1870. Subsequent "Montenegrins" featured minor changes in the original design and later models featured hinged-frame construction with Galand cylinder locks and self-extracting mechanisms like the one shown. It is a double-action revolver of some size, weighing in at 2 lbs., 13 oz.! They were produced by Gasser and a number of other fine Austrian and Belgian makers. King Nicholas of Montenegro is said to have owned a financial interest in the manufacture of the "Montenegrin-Gasser" style revolvers and that he made ownership of these revolvers mandatory for his male subjects. Today, they are very rare. I have seen only 3 in movies: MGM's 1952 "Prisoner of Zenda" (and mine looks identical to THAT particular revolver, including the fact that it has a weak trigger return spring). And Warren Beatty used a Montenegrin-Gasser revolver in the film "McCabe and Mrs. Miller". One also appeared in the recent film "The Illusionist". Around 1910, the owner of Alfa Arms sold a sizeable shipment of these guns to Pancho Villa and his Mexican revolutionaries. the barrels were changed on these particular guns, so they would fire .44-40 ammunition. He made a fortune in profits as Villa was able to afford them. In fact, this gun is very much associated with the Mexican Revolution and is instantly recognizable by its unique look. This particular (auction) gun is one of those that went to the Mexican Revolution. It was really THERE! Mechanically, it is still almost perfect, except that 2 chambers don't quite index and the trigger return spring is weak. The real bone grips are still in fine shape. No chips, still sturdy and strong. Finish has a nice honest patina. How can you tell it is a survivor of the Mexican Revolution? Because the barrel is stamped "For 44 Winchester Cartridge" (which is a .44-40 caliber). On the top of the frame, it reads only "Belgium"

I'd say $100 may be a little undervalued, but not much considering condition. Could conceiveably be fired with .44-40 cowboy loads. Definitely have a gunsmith check it out first.

[AwPhuch]

.44-40...BLACK POWDER cartridges ONLY

I would bet if you ran smokeless it might not like it too much

Definitely an interesting "relic" gun
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.44-40_Winchester

The initial standard load for the cartridge was 40 grains (2.6 g) of blackpowder propelling a 200-grain (13 g) bullet at approximately 1,245 ft/s (379 m/s), but in 1886 U.M.C. also began offering a slightly heavier 217-grain (14.1 g) bullet at 1,190 ft/s (360 m/s), also with 40 grains (2.6 g) of blackpowder.
The most common current loading is a 200-grain (13 g) bullet @ 1,190 ft/s (360 m/s).

Great find and info Cuda66! $100 bucks...its either a good last ditch zombies climbing thru the windows save the last bullet for yourself kinda gun...or maybe something to go out and make lots of smoke and piss off fellow shooters at the range pistol...if its out of tolerances...then you ain't breaking the bank, as he said..have a gunsmith check it out!!!!

[Cuda66]

Originally Posted by AwPhuch

.44-40...BLACK POWDER cartridges ONLY

I would bet if you ran smokeless it might not like it too much

Definitely an interesting "relic" gun
.44-40 Winchester - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Great find and info Cuda66! $100 bucks...its either a good last ditch zombies climbing thru the windows save the last bullet for yourself kinda gun...or maybe something to go out and make lots of smoke and piss off fellow shooters at the range pistol...if its out of tolerances...then you ain't breaking the bank, as he said..have a gunsmith check it out!!!!

Look at the stats for that cartridge; a 200gr bullet at 1250 or so is smoking....you could get away with smokeless loads.

Like I said--if a gunsmith would upcheck it for shooting, pick up some Black Hills or PMC Cowboy loads...they are low pressure, and would work dandy in this pistol.

OT a bit, but if I ever buy a Colt SAA, it would be in that caliber...I think it's cool as hell.

[Ridge]

Thanks guys! We couldn't find anything on this. Do you know if something like this could be "cleaned up" without lowering the value?

[AwPhuch]

Originally Posted by Ridge

Thanks guys! We couldn't find anything on this. Do you know if something like this could be "cleaned up" without lowering the value?

Lowering from $100??

[Ridge]

Originally Posted by AwPhuch

Lowering from $100??

LOL - I mean any potential future value. It's pretty rough.

[tkcenterline]

No I cant tell. But I do remember my Dad had one in his drawer. When I was growing up and my dad was not home, I use to sneak into his room and play with it. How dangerous was that. But the hammer was broken on it. But still.