Rast & Gasser M1898

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	Weapon: Rast & Gasser M1898 Type: Revolver Country of Origin: Austria-Hungary Year Adopted: 1898 Overall Length (mm): 240.0 Overall Length (in): 9.45 Weight (kg): 0.00 Weight (pounds): 0

The Rast & Gasser M1898 revolver was designed as a service weapon for the Austro-Hungarian Army, replacing earlier models with a more modern and robust design. This double-action revolver featured an 8-round cylinder, an innovative choice at the time, chambered in 8mm Gasser. Its solid-frame construction and the inclusion of a loading gate made it durable and reliable, suitable for the demands of military use during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The revolver was produced by the Austrian firm Leopold Gasser Waffenfabrik in Vienna, with total production numbers estimated at approximately 200,000 units. The M1898 served as the standard sidearm for Austro-Hungarian forces during World War I, providing a reliable personal defense weapon for officers and non-commissioned officers. Despite being somewhat heavy and less ergonomic compared to later semi-automatic pistols, its sturdy design made it well-suited to the harsh conditions of trench warfare.

The Rast & Gasser M1898 earned a reputation for ruggedness and reliability but was eventually overshadowed by the emergence of semi-automatic handguns in the interwar period. Following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the revolver remained in use with successor states and other forces, including some police units. Today, it is a sought-after collector's item and a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian military's engineering capabilities during a transformative period in firearms development.