1441

EXTRORDINARY CASED CONFEDERATE ENGRAVED AND SILVER INLAID BABY LEMAT PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:42,500.00 USD Estimated At:85,000.00 - 125,000.00 USD
EXTRORDINARY CASED CONFEDERATE ENGRAVED AND SILVER INLAID BABY LEMAT PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
SN 20. Cal. 32/41. This is among the rarest of all Confederate revolvers with only 14 known examples. This is the only example elaborately engraved, silver-plated frame and silver pins inlaid in grips. This gun is also in near new condition accompanied by English casing containing unique, orig 3 cavity baby LeMat mold, making both 32 and 41 caliber LeMat bullets. The 41 cal. bullets appear almost identical to the standard 42 cal. bullets used in standard LeMat 9-shot revolvers. The screws on this mold are also engraved. This is the only baby LeMat mold that is known to us. Also included in this case are 22 orig LeMat bullets that once were full cartridges as the skin or paper tops can still be seen tied to several of the projectiles. Baby LeMat's unlike their standard size big brothers have a 41 cal. rifled second bbl instead of the 18 ga "grapeshot" bbl. Of the baby LeMat's known, at least 2 other examples are engraved, but not nearly as elaborate and nowhere near the condition of this little gem. The engraving style seen on this gun is quite similar to that seen on the cylinders of some first model and transitional LeMats, but obviously not as detailed or as much coverage. This gun exhibits floral engraving over most of the silver-plated frame, backstrap, butt and trigger guard. The blued bbl, bbl housing and cylinder are also engraved in similar foliate form as are all screws, hammer, loading arm and plunger. This gun utilizes the early reciprocating pin mechanism utilized on the earliest production of LeMat revolvers. If you wanted the greatest Baby LeMat in existence, this is it. CONDITION: Bbl and housing retain 90% orig bright blue finish with balance turning plum. Cylinder retains about 50% orig bright finish with balance turning plum with small scattered areas of staining and light pitting. Silver-plated frame, trigger guard and backstrap retain 95% of their orig silver-plating with areas of bubbling on backstrap around engraving, scattered rust and pitting as can be seen in photos. Stocks retain much of their orig varnish and have approximately 1,000 silver pins symmetrically imbedded at cross hatch junctions. English style walnut casing with 2" brass escutcheon with fancy initials engraved "TE". This case no doubt originally held this gun as rub marks match this gun, though fit is sloppy, and there is space for another 1-1/2" bbl. Green felt lining in case is sound though soiled and worn through where rubbed. Compartment lids are very good, backed with a turquoise colored paper.††The orig LeMat bullets and orig LeMat mold unique to this gun are not found elsewhere. The mold sprue is marked 18 on one side and 7 on the other and one arm of the mold is also marked with a 7. At least one standard LeMat mold for "grapeshot" revolver is also marked with an 18, which probably not a SN. This mold is about 7" long almost identical to standard full size LeMat molds, only difference here being cavity sizes and shapes. 4-48200 JS11