GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
CONSECUTIVELY NUMBERED PAIR OF CONFEDERATE LEMAT "GRAPESHOT" REVOLVERS. LEMAT 2ND 1108/1109 42/18 Cal. 42/18. Rarely found are consecutive pairs of martial arms, especially when you get two Confederate arms which are so scarce to start with. We are offering here maybe the only consecutive pair, SN 1108 and 1109, to have ever turned up. Both guns are in similar condition and will present nicely in any collection. Numerous texts talk of the Lemat revolvers. Confederate Handguns by William Albaugh and Ed Simmons denote their largest chapter on this particular manufacturer. Other texts have emerged over the years with the most definitive being written by Doug Adams. Even in the 1997 prize winning and top selling novel Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, the hero, Inman, carries a pair of LeMat revolvers. LeMat revolvers were, indeed, prized by Confederate soldiers as they were 9-shot pistol with 18 gauge shotgun barrel in addition. Both guns here are well marked, as can be seen in photos. Bbl addresses are crisp as are SNs that are found on all major component of guns. Checkered stock on guns are very good. Loading assemblies, which are so often missing from these guns, are both correct and intact. There is minor restoration to both guns, such as the frame latch on SN 1108, however all major SN parts are complete and intact. Both guns function with the action being a little sticky on SN 1108. SN 1109 is the better of the two guns and exhibits some finish in protected areas, though the right ear of the hammer face is chipped off. You are bidding on probably the only consecutively pair of LeMats to have ever been publicly offered. PROVENANCE: Outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: SN 1108 good overall. Metal is overall mottled grey. Good markings and numerous small cosmetic blemishes. The only apparent restorations appear to be frame latch and lever screw. Mechanically functional. SN 1109 good to very good overall. Slightly better than 1108 with broken right ear to hammer and shotgun selector is missing thumb protrusion. Mechanically, gun is sloppy and only turns cylinder intermittently, though holds at full cock. Metal overall is a cleaned grey/white with good discernible markings. Stocks are sound with wear to checkering, hand worn patina matching closely to SN 1108. 51957-5 JS (30,000-40,000)