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Fine Civil War LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 45,000.00 USD
Fine Civil War LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver
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Fine Civil War LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver

This Paris Second Model LeMat revolver was manufactured circa 1864-1865. This revolver has the unique LeMat combination of a conventional .42 caliber barrel and percussion nine-shot cylinder which revolves on a centrally mounted, smoothbore, .63 caliber "buckshot barrel". The hammer is equipped with a pivoting striker that fires either the percussion nipples on the cylinder or the single percussion nipple of the buckshot barrel. The revolver has the distinctive Parisian Second Model features that include: full octagon revolver barrel, pin frame securing mechanism, round trigger guard with no spur, loading lever on the left side of the barrel and boss with lanyard ring hole on the butt frame. The revolver has two-piece, finely checkered, European walnut grips. The top barrel flat is engraved "Syst.. LeMAT, BTE. S.q.d.g. PARIS" in a hand-engraved panel with flourishes at either end. The right side of the barrel is stamped with the serial number "1823" followed by the "*/LM" LeMat logo found on all Paris made LeMat revolvers. The serial number "1823" is also stamped on the right side of the frame below the cylinder, right side of the trigger, front of the frame pin and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. A "N" inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the hammer. The LeMat revolver was developed by Dr. Jean LeMat of New Orleans, Louisiana, and patented in 1856. LeMat revolvers were manufactured in Liege, Paris and Birmingham c. 1856-1866; total production is estimated at fewer than 2,900 revolvers. Approximately 1,500 LeMat revolvers are thought to have been purchased by the Confederate government during the Civil War. Many senior Confederate officers carried LeMat revolvers. However, the LeMat revolver is most closely associated with the famed Confederate cavalryman General J.E.B. Stuart who carried a LeMat revolver when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, Virginia, in 1864. The LeMat Two-Barrel revolver is the most distinctive of all Confederate associated firearms.

Manufacture: Le Mat
Model: 2nd
BBL: 6 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 42
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 1823

Very fine. The revolver has 50% original blue with the balance a mottled, dark brown patina. The cylinder has no flash pitting; the percussion nipples are in excellent condition. The hand-engraved barrel legend, "*/LM" logo and serial numbers are crisp. There are small, scattered pitted areas on the right side of the barrel and frame immediately in front of the chamber and on the sides and bottom of the frame, trigger guard and grip strap. The walnut grip is in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The action is tight and functions well. This is a fine example of the iconic Confederate Civil War LeMat two-barrel revolver.