GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
FINE AND RARE CONFEDERATE 2ND MODEL LEMAT REVOLVER WITH COG MECHANISM TURNING CYLINDER, NOT NOTED IN SUCH AN EARLY GUN PREVIOUSLY.LEMAT2nd MODEL132042/18GACal. 42/18ga. This is a fine, complete and matching orig example of the standard production Confederate contracted LeMat grapeshot revolver retaining traces of orig finish. Standard production Paris guns, often called 2nd Models at about SN 1800 were changed from reciprocating pin to "Colt-style" ratcheting cog mechanism to turn cylinder. This feature we have not noted on such an early gun previously. Doug Adams, in his text The Confederate LeMat Revolver, 2005, "Note: Although there were some overlap, the change in Paris series barrel address "Systme LeMat" (SN 1825) occurs at roughly the same point as the switch to the cog mechanism". What makes this gun so unusual as it indeed has cog mechanism was never made for reciprocating pin and gun appears all orig, correct and matching and "as found". This gun exhibits all improvements that were known to work the best after lots of service in the field by Confederates reporting problems in the early Civil War years. I cannot explain why a gun theoretically made fully 500 SNs previous to the later Paris guns has these features, but this is indeed a pure and unmolested and possibly earliest known SN with cog mechanism. Otherwise, this revolver conforms to standard models with distinctive LeMat 9-shot cylinder. 42 caliber rifled bbl with smooth bore 'grape-shot' 18ga bbl for firing buckshot. The top bbl flat is marked "Col. LeMat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris" which is the typical address on LeMat standard production guns prior to SN 1825. In Wiley Sword's text Firepower From Abroad , 1986, he notes that probably only the first 1450 LeMats made it to the Confederacy in time for the Gettysburg Campaign. If that is the case this would have been one of the last shipments to make it through blockade for the major 1863 and 1864 Campaigns of the Civil War. LeMat revolvers were prized by their Confederate owners (and Yankee capturers too). Many notable Confederate Generals and Officers were known to have carried these unique weapons as noted by General Beauregard's and General Lewis's sold in a previous Julia's sale. 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. This is a pleasing example, all matching with fine aesthetics. PROVENANCE: Lifetime Collection of Dr. Zack Catterton. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, orig bright blue finish is found in traces in protected areas, balance of surface is mottled gray with some staining, light pitting and other minor cosmetic blemishes. Gun appears 100% orig and complete with exception of right ear of hammer face which is broken and missing. All screws appear orig. Matching SN 1320 was found on bbl, shotgun bbl, loading arm, loading assembly screw, plunger, cleaning rod, cylinder, frame, trigger, each grip and grip screw. Mechanically revolver functions well, crisp action, bright well discerned shotgun and rifled bores. 51566-3 JS (20,000-25,000)