GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXTREMELY RARE INSCRIBED CASED EARLY 1ST MODEL LEMAT GRAPESHOT REVOLVER BELONGING TO CONFEDERATE SURGEON THOMAS B. MEMMINGER SON OF CONFEDERATE SEC. OF TREASURY CHRISTOPHER G. MEMMINGER.LEMAT1ST2542/18Cal. 42/18ga. This is an extremely fine and complete orig example of a rarely offered 1st Model LeMat carried by Thomas. B. Memminger, a Confederate surgeon and son of the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury. SN "25" has all the rare 1st Model features, including earliest bbl markings of "COL. LeMAT'S PATENT", loading assembly attached to bbl on right side of gun, spur trigger guard and pinned lanyard ring stud, and reciprocating pin cylinder rotation system. The 2-pc walnut grips with escutcheons are in excellent condition and stamped "Baquet" internally as are the few other surviving very early LeMats. Another early feature in LeMat #25 is the rabbetted slip-fit joint between the grapeshot barrel and the regular barrel; later models were held together by a series of threads and were screwed off in disassembly. The piece at hand is an excellent example of perhaps the most intriguing firearm used in the American Civil War identified to prominent SC family, all original, complete, functional and preserved in beautiful condition in "Paris" Confederate South Carolina marked casing with accessories. The brass plaque in top of lid "T. B. Memminger". Thomas B. Memminger (1838-1918) was a Confederate surgeon during the Civil War in South Carolina and the son of Confederate Secretary of the Treasury Christopher Memminger (1803-1888). His wartime papers along with his fathers are deposited in the University of South Carolina and University of South Carolina archives. A large file of copied papers accompanies this rare and historical firearm. PROVENANCE: Edward Simmons collection: pictured and described in Wm. Albaugh's "Confederate Handguns" 1963; pictured and described Doug Adams "The Confederate Lemat Revolver", 2005: Outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Very good. Fine overall, gun retains traces of finish in protected areas with good markings, complete and original. Fully functional with crisp bright bore. The accompanying casing retains an original LeMat mold marked 18 on sprue cutter and 19 on brass body. There is a pewter oiler, tin of Ely caps, bag flask, several loose balls and buckshot, and a well patinaed brass compass. Partitions are potentially relined with remnants of the original blue velvet on sides of box. Lock escutcheon has been replaced by a French coin. Latches have French makers mark as does lock. 51957-14 JS (25,000-35,000)