Developed for possible sale to the Austrian Army, the 1893 Gas Trap Revolver never left the prototype stages, with less than 100 believed manufactured in total. A novel design, the 1893 uses a spring-loaded movable cylinder that is automatically pressed forward during the firing cycle to enclose and engage the breech of the barrel and seal the cylinder to the breech. The gas gap between the cylinder and barrel is an issue endemic to revolving weapons, and most designers were willing to treat it as a necessary evil; the most famous design to confront the problem head-on was the Russian/Soviet Nagant Model 1895, which used a mobile cylinder arrangement similar to this Steyr. Blade front and notch rear sights, with the serial number on the left side of the barrel and the frame, with "WAFFENFABRIK/STEYR" on the left side plate. The serial number is repeated in full on multiple components, including the backs of the grip panels. A fine golden straw finish is present on a number of components, including the hammer and cylinder assembly, with a niter blue lanyard ring on the butt and checkered hardwood grips. A pair of "eagle/N" German commercial proofs are present, one on the underside of the barrel and the other on the face of the cylinder; this would suggest that the revolver made it's way to Germany and was proof fired sometime c.1940-1945.

Excellent, with 98% of the original blue finish, showing a few scratches on the sideplate, mild edge wear and light handling marks overall. The original straw colors are 95% intact, strong and bright throughout, with some turn marks on the cylinder. The grips are very good, with a few dark spots and dings. Mechanically excellent. An exceptionally rare European martial revolver in outstanding condition.