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Scarce Documented Civil War Second Model London LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver Photographed in the Lemat

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Scarce Documented Civil War Second Model London LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver Photographed in the Lemat
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Scarce Documented Civil War Second Model London LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver Photographed in the Lemat Book

Second Model LeMat two-barrel percussion revolver with London markings manufactured circa 1865. The LeMat revolver was invented and patented by Dr. Jean Alexandre LeMat of New Orleans, Louisiana in 1856. LeMat revolvers were manufactured in Liege, Paris and London between 1856 and 1865. During the Civil War, the Confederate government awarded contracts for 1500 Army and Navy LeMat revolvers. LeMat revolvers were carried by a number of well known Confederate officers, most notably General J.E.B. Stuart who commanded the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia. The unique LeMat Revolver featured a conventional .42 caliber revolver barrel with 9-shot cylinder and a 16 gauge, smoothbore, "grapeshot", barrel that served as the axis for the percussion cylinder. The barrels were selected by a lever in the hammer which pivoted the nose up or down to engage the percussion nipples in the cylinder or the grapeshot barrel. The final production LeMat revolvers were manufactured in England and featured London markings. This Second Model revolver has the late London features that include: full octagon .42 caliber barrel, loading lever located on the left side of the barrel, button disassembly latch, round trigger guard with no spur, center-mounted hammer pivot lever and butt with integral mount for a lanyard ring. The revolver has a high polish blue finish and two-piece, checkered, walnut grips. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "LE MAT & GIRARD'S PATENT LONDON". Birmingham proofmarks are stamped on the upper left barrel flat and on the top of the cylinder between each chamber. The underside of the grapeshot barrel is stamped with "18" flanked by two proofmarks. The serial number, "8275" is stamped on the right barrel flat, the side of the cylinder and on the right side of the frame. This revolver is pictured and described on page 211 of "LeMat The Man, The Gun" by Forgett and Serpette.

Manufucture: Le Mat
Model: 2nd
BBL: 6 1/2 Inch
Stock:
Guage: 42 cal/ 16 ga
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 8275

Fine. The revolver barrel and protected areas of the frame retain 30% plus of the high polish blue finish. The balance of the revolver has aged to a gray brown patina. There are scattered areas of pitting on the sides of the .42 caliber barrel and on the bottom of the grapeshot barrel. The rear portions of the cylinder and adjacent areas of the frame and hammer have light-moderate flash pitting. The percussion nipples on the cylinder show minimal flash pitting. The walnut grips are in fair-good condition with moderate-heavy handling wear. The barrel markings, serial numbers and proofmarks are all clear. The action is crisp and tight. This is a good example of a scarce and very desirable London Second Model LeMat Two-Barrel Revolver.