POTD: A Crownprince's Revolver

Steve Johnson
by Steve Johnson

NL took this photo at the Museum of Military History, Vienna which is located in the Arsenal.

An Austrian Gasser revolver Model 1870/74. Very skillfully engraved with gold inlays and I believe ivory grip plates (and tools).

The insignia translated to English reads: “Revolver of the Crownprince; model Gasser-Kropatschek; presented as a custom-made gift from the Leopold Gasser Factory in Vienna.”

I don’t know much about Austrian royal history, but I think this pistol may have belonged to Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria. He is notable because WWI may never have happened had he not ended his own life before becoming Emperor.

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Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson

I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!

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  • Adam D. Adam D. on Oct 19, 2014

    Beautiful piece.
    The Austrian guys always had style, I really like their art.
    Their works played a significant part in forming classicist art in Europe.

  • Skusmc Skusmc on Oct 20, 2014

    Austrian? Well... g'day mate. Let's throw another shrimp on the barbie!

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