3293

EXTREMELY RARE LEMAT PINFIRE REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE LEMAT PINFIRE REVOLVER.
Cal. 9mm Pinfire / 12mm Percussion. S# 3165. Invented by Dr. Jean Alexandre Francois in partnership w/ P. G. T. Beauregard the early production was mfg. in the United States. As Civil War hostilities erupted, production was shifted offshore w/ various models produced in Belgium, France & London. Estimated quantity of less than 1,000 pinfire Lemats were produced in all sizes & types. Bbl. oct. w/ 5 5/8" overall length & tall brass bead sight. 2 3/8" smooth bore forward portion of bbl. screws off of original rifled bbl. that measures 3 5/8" over female threaded end. Center mounted 4" twist steel grapeshot bbl. doubles as the cyl. arbor. 9 Shot fluted pinfire cyl. w/ right side manual ejection rod. Hammer has lever firing selector. Iron frame w/ metal butt cap having lanyard ring. Left side of frame & bbl. extension has number "180907", right side of frame has number "3165". Left bbl. flat has crown over "EL" proof. Right bbl. flat marked "COL. P. A. LE. MAT BRte". Bbl. has "D" inspection mark. 2 Piece checkered walnut grips w/ engraved iron escutcheons. CONDITION: 50% dull metal finish fading to brown w/ areas of flaking. Grips have added varnish over wear & handling marks. 9mm Bore retains sound rifling in rear portion showing light pitting. 12mm Grapeshot bore is very good showing sm. marks. (01-19391/DS). ANTIQUE. $6,000-8,000.