Page 182 - 4090-BOOK2

180
LOT 1217
Exceptional Civil War Second Model LeMat Two-Barrel Percussion “Grapeshot” Revolver with Holster - Serial no. 1535, 42 cal/ 16 ga
cal., 7 inch octagon and 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut grips. This exceptional Second Model LeMat revolver was manufactured
in Paris, France c. 1864-1865. It has the unique and distinctive features including the combination of a full octagon .42 caliber revolver barrel and percussion nine-shot cylinder, a second centrally mounted smoothbore .65 caliber/16 gauge “buckshot” barrel, loading lever on the left side of the revolver barrel, pivoting hammer nose with central change lever on the hammer spur, rounded trigger guard with no spur and lanyard ring hole in the butt of the frame. 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. 1856-1865, 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, with many senior Confederate officers known to have carried them. 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 “Grapeshot” revolver is the most distinctive of all the Confederate associated firearms. The top barrel flat is engraved “Col LeMat, Bte. s.q.d.g. Paris” in a panel with engraved flourishes at either end. The right side of the barrel is stamped with the serial number “1535” followed by the “*/LM” LeMat logo. The matching serial number “1535” is also stamped on the right side of the frame below the cylinder, on the cylinder, and handwritten in black ink inside both grip panels. A “J” inspection mark is stamped on the left side
of the hammer. The revolver has a high polish blue finish and is fitted with two-piece finely checkered walnut grips. Includes an unmarked period brown leather holster.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 70% plus attractive original high polish blue finish concentrated mostly on the upper barrel and cylinder with the frame showing an exposed smooth gray patina, a few areas of light flaking showing smooth brown patina on the balance, some scattered areas of light surface freckling visible, and sharp markings and edges in
the metal overall. The grips are excellent, with minimal handling marks and distinct checkering and edges. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very fine with some light edge wear. No Civil War arms collection is complete without a LeMat, and this exceptionally fine example with a holster would be very difficult to improve upon!
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000