3007

RARE & FINE EARLY CONFEDERATE 1ST MODEL LEMAT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
RARE & FINE EARLY CONFEDERATE 1ST MODEL LEMAT
REVOLVER. Cal. 42/18 Ga. S# 97/113/135. This early war “grapeshot” revolver has all the rare 1st Model features, including earliest engraved bbl markings of “COL. LeMAT’S PATENT”, loading assembly attached to bbl. on right side of gun, spring loaded latch to attach bbl. to frame, spur trigger guard, pinned lanyard ring stud, double eared hammer pivot for shotgun, reciprocating pin rotation system noted by series of holes on back of cylinder, and rabbeted not screwed on shotgun bbl. assembly. This gun is all orig, complete & functional, only the first contract of about 200 revolvers have all these characteristics. We can only document about 20 examples below SN 200. There are more identified examples among these 1st 200 than all other LeMat revolvers combined. Important Confederate personalities such as P.G.T. Beauregard (SN 8), Maj. Gen. John Lewis (SN 88), Stonewall Jackson (SN unknown), JEB Stuart (SN 115) and Henry Wirz (SN 189), Commander of Andersonville Prison. SN 7 was captured on the CSS Atlanta & 183 was captured on the CSS Florida. SN 21 & 25 have known South Carolina connections. Several of these early examples are found w/ mismatched numbers. This gun has cylinder 113 which is only 2 serial numbers removed from JEB Stewart’s, & loading assembly is 135. Regardless of the different numbers, this revolver has matching patina & no doubt grew up this way. The delicate engraved screws do not appear to have been turned which is so unusual, as most have seen hard use. CONDITION. very good overall, no original finish but sharp edges & markings w/ especially crisp patent marking. Grips were not removed as they are so well fit & didn’t want to disturb engraving on screw. All original grips in this serial range have been stamped internally “BAQUET” & imagine this is not an exception. Mechanically functional w/ crisp bright bore. PROVENANCE: ex-Gary Bizacky collection. (01-18461/JS). ANTIQUE. $25,000-30,000