Montenegrin Weapons (1870-1916)

The monograph “Montenegrin Weapons 1870-1916” deals with the historical development of small arms of the Principality and the Kingdom of Montenegro in the mentioned period, that is, at the time of more intensive modernization of the Montenegrin army, in accordance with the world trends of that time. Weapons in Montenegro, thanks to the centuries-old libertarian and state-building tradition, have grown into a kind of cult and part of the everyday life of the people. Thus, by 1870, a number of specific types of weapons were created, which, with their characteristics, indicated national identity and special ethnographic features of a folklore character. However, in the period covered by this book, it is shown that Montenegro was well acquainted with modern trends in the development of tactical and technical characteristics of weapons and that in this sense, often, regardless of size and financial capabilities, was ahead of other Balkan state.

The book is divided into two basic chapters dealing with cold weapons and firearms. Each model of weapon is processed in detail, from the method of procurement, through the introduction into the equipment of the army, to the description of technical characteristics and design origin, and then with the provision of data on manufacturers and suppliers of weapons. Special attention is paid to the rifles of the Krnka system, which were specially developed only for Montenegro, Gaser revolvers, which became a cult artifact in the country and a far more famous revolver than in the “native” Austro-Hungary, but also machine guns of the Maxim system, purchased with the help of world famous weapon designer Georg Luger. Luger was of Montenegrin origin, which is why Montenegro acquired the most modern infantry weapons of the era among the first in the world.

In addition to the yatagan as a national cold weapon, the monograph deals with sabers and bayonets of Austrian, French and Russian origin and models. The firearms included pre-loaded rifles, single-shot weapons of the Krnka, Wenzl, Berdan and Pibodi-Martini systems; multi-shot rifles Winchester, Mosin-Nagan, Mauser and Manlicher, and from machine guns - mechanical Getling- Gorlov and automatic Maxim and Schwarzlose. At the end of the monograph, hand grenades are treated as a specific, relatively rare weapon in Montenegro. Finally, part of the book is dedicated to the development of professional training of technical staff and workshops for the repair of weapons, and the establishment of the foundations of a dedicated industry.

The paper is based on materials from domestic institutions and archives, but also hitherto littleknown sources from archives from Montenegro, Serbia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Russia.

Montenegrin Weapons (1870-1916)

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