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Texas naval battle scene, six rectangular stops, and marked “COLT’S PATENT No 2697”. The hammer has crude knurling on the spur. One-piece walnut grip. The revolver,
correctly, has no maker identification; however, it has the cryptic marks found on most Griswold & Gunnison revolvers. “&” is stamped on the right surface of the front
grip strap and rear surface of the frame. “XIXXX” is stamped on the left surface of the front grip strap with faint markings that appear to be the same thing on the lower
left surface of the rear grip strap. “29” is stamped on the trigger guard and on the artificially aged modern replacement renumbered loading lever. The full serial number “2909” is stamped on the right of the barrel and frame. These well made revolvers are one of the most desirable Confederate made Civil War handguns.
CONDITION: Good. The barrel exhibits an artificially enhanced smooth gray patina, the replacement Colt cylinder displays a mix of gray and brown patina with a lightly visible cylinder scene and some scattered light pitting, the modern renumbered replacement loading lever shows a mix of blue finish with scattered mild pitting and brown patina, and brown patina on the hammer. The brass frame and trigger guard retain an attractive golden aged patina with bright patina on the back strap. The serial number markings are clear. The modern replacement barrel wedge is slightly loose fitting. Modern replacement grip is very good with some light dings around the bottom edges and some light handling marks. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1132
Desirable Civil War Era Second Model LeMat “Grape Shot” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 1841, 40 cal., 6 3/4
inch octagon and 6 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut grips. The LeMat is one of the most distinctive and famous of all 19th century revolvers thanks to unusual
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central smoothbore “grape shot” barrel plus its use by well-known Confederate military generals and officers including P.
G. T. Beauregard, Braxton Bragg, and J. E. B. Stuart. They were designed by Jean Alexandre LeMat of New Orleans but mainly manufactured
in Liege, Belgium and Paris, France. Period advertisements for the revolvers refer to them as “LeMat’s Grape Shot Revolvers.” The barrels on this example measure .40 caliber and 18 gauge (.64 caliber). It has a triangular front sight, pull-pin style barrel latch, the central selector on the hammer tip for switching between the cylinder and the smoothbore shot barrel, and groove on the hammer selector for a rear sight. The barrel has “Syst Le Mat Bte
s-g-d-g Paris” (partially faded) inscribed in an engraved panel, and the serial number and “LM/*” marking on the right at the breech (collectors believe this to
be Confederate). The serial number is repeated on the inside of the loading lever, on the cylinder, and right side of the frame. The checkered walnut grips have light
engraving on the washer, screw, and nut. The butt has a lanyard loop. CONDITION: Very good with traces of original blue finish on the grapeshot barrel and in protected areas with smooth gray patina on the balance, scattered light to moderate pitting and wear from period use, and distinct markings in the metal. Grips are fine with crisp checkering, a few small chips in the right panel, some light handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 1131
Civil War Confederate Griswold and Gunnison Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 2909,
36 cal., 7 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut grips. This is an example of a
Colt Model 1851 Navy type percussion revolver that was manufactured by Samuel Griswold and Arvin Gunnison at
Griswoldville, Georgia. Griswold & Gunnison manufactured approximately 3,700 revolvers and were the largest Confederate
handgun maker during the Civil War. This standard model revolver has a part octagon barrel lug with round barrel, brass frame, brass trigger guard, and brass back strap. The revolver is fitted with a six-shot Colt Model 1851 Navy period replacement cylinder with the