GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
CONFEDERATE LEMAT GRAPESHOT REVOLVER. LEMAT REVOLVER 1841 42/18 GA Cal. 42/18 Bore. This is a fine orig example of the standard production LeMat grape-shot revolver. Standard production guns, often called 2nd Models, feature improvements made by LeMat that worked the best after lots of service in the field by Confederates in the field reporting problems in the early Civil War years. This early 2nd Model still utilizes LeMat's unique reciprocating pin locking mechanism which would be changed somewhere in the next 100 or so guns to less complicated "interrupted cog" cyl locking system. The revolver has the distinctive LeMat 9-shot cyl. 42 cal rifled bbl with smooth bore 'grape-shot' 18 ga bbl for firing buckshot. The top bbl flat is marked "Col. LeMat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris" which is the standard addressing on LeMat standard production guns. There were about 2000 Paris made LeMat revolvers all made for Confederate service and only a small percentage are found complete, retaining orig loading assemblies. This example appears orig and authentic in every regard with matching SNs & secondary numbers on every part normally numbered including bbl, shotgun bbl, loading arm, removable rammer, plunger, ramrod screw, frame, trigger, hammer (shotgun selector is replaced), cyl, frame latch, grips, grip screw and no doubt other internal parts if gun had been further disassembled. LeMat revolvers were prized by their Confederate owners (and the Yankee capturers too). Many notable Confederate Generals and Officers were known to have carried these unique weapons. In Charles Frazier's 1997 National Book Awards winning Cold Mountain the book's hero Inman proudly owned a pair of LeMat revolvers showing how well known this particular revolver is among modern culture. PROVENANCE: The Collection of Daniel C. Scott. CONDITION: Gun overall is grey, with areas of staining and pitting. Bbl address and SNs are all crisp and well defined. This gun by NRA standards grades good, by Confederate standards, however, it is a fine example. As stated above, guns appears complete and all matching with exception of hammer ears which are broken off and a restored shotgun selector which color is a close match to orig overall patina. The spring catch that holds loading assembly is also replaced. Stocks are crisp, solid & sound, very well fit with crisp checkering, good color and grain with few minor blemishes unaffecting aesthetics. Mechanically gun indexes and hammer holds cock and half-cock positions well, however the reciprocating pin that locks cyl in place does not function. 50717-1 JS (12,500-17,500)