3001

OUTSTANDING CONFEDERATE LEMAT SECOND MODEL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:14,000.00 USD Estimated At:28,000.00 - 38,000.00 USD
OUTSTANDING CONFEDERATE LEMAT SECOND MODEL

GRAPESHOT REVOLVER. Cal. 42/18 Ga. S# 1952. Bbl. 6 3/4" octagon above a 5 7/8" round bbl. beneath. Upper bbl. is used with the 9 shot cylinder to fire 42 cal. ammo. Top flat of bbl. is marked with a panel that reads, “Systeme Le Mat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris”. The right flat of the bbl. is marked "1952” with the star over “LM” proof. There is a small stamp on the left flat of the octagon barrel that reads "W. DUNCAN". This may be the owner of the gun or perhaps a retailer's mark. All numbered parts of this fine pistol match completely. Lower bbl. is used for firing a single charge of buckshot. 9 Shot revolving cylinder, with associated loading lever, on left side of bbl. The hammer is fitted with a pivoting striker to accommodate the 9 cylinder nipples along with a single nipple at the top of the frame to fire the buckshot bbl. 2 Piece, fine checkered walnut grips with lanyard loop at the buttcap. Dr. Jean Alexandre Francois Lemat from New Orleans, LA, patented this type of revolver in 1856. He was originally business partners with P.G.T. Beauregard, who was to become one of the most famous Confederate generals of the war. The LeMat revolver was made from 1856-1865 with a total quantity produced of less than 2,900 examples. At the outbreak of the Civil War, it quickly became the most favored sidearm of many high ranking Confederate officers & officials. Captured examples were coveted & prized by Union officers as well. CONDITION: likely one of the finest known examples of this coveted revolver. This LeMat retains 70-80% of original blued finish. The markings on the top of the bbl. remain crisp, sharp & easily read. The backstrap & hammer retain a pleasing gray brown patina. As frequently seen on many LeMat revolvers, the loading lever was broken during use. The lever was repaired by a very skilled gunsmith and matches exactly the original profile of the lever. The lever was then professionally reblued to closely match the existing finish. Screws show minimal wear & scratches. The nipples retain substantial original finish. Grips show expected wear but retain crisp checkering. Mechanics seem to function quite well. The bore of revolver barrel is outstanding, showing only the slightest wear, even the chambers of the cylinder show insignificant wear. Shotgun bore is equally crisp. This exceptional LeMat was obviously used & carried, but has managed to remain one of the finest examples of this rare & desirable pistol on the collector’s market. (01-20805/BF). $28,000-38,000.