GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
RARE & UNIQUE CIVIL WAR BRASS FRAME LEMAT PINFIRE CARBINE FROM THE RENOWNED ALAIN SERPETTE COLLECTION.LEMATPIN-FIRE CARBINE10111/13.6MMCal. 11/13.6mm. A most unusual Belgian LeMat carbine, the left recoil shield maker stamped "J Mariette Bte" with a small number "2". The right side of the lower tang stamped "DDJ". The upper tang stamped with the SN "101", this number repeated at the back of the pinfire cylinder with an "ELG" and Crown V Liege proof, and on the bottom of the rifled bbl along with a number "2" which must be an assembly number matching that found on the recoil shield. The bottom of the percussion shotgun bbl stamped "13.6" for 13.6mm, the bore diameter, and a small arrowhead shaped proof plus a small Crown V, a proof that's repeated on the left side of the bbl and bbl lug. The right bbl flat stamped "COLl. A.LE.MAT BRTe" in block letters. LeMat, The Man, The Gun discusses this carbine on page 125 and illustrates it with markings and proofs on page 126. Strangely the text mentions a top bbl flat marked "COL.A.LE MAT BRTe" (the illustration is "COLl. A.LE.MAT BRTe") which is actually on the right flat and there is no top flat marking; it also illustrates and mentions in the text "COLONEL LE MAT.PATENT" right bbl flat marking credited to this specimen. Colonel François A. LE MAT also illustrates incorrectly the "COLONEL LE MAT.PATENT" marking credited to this specimen on page 68. Mr. Surpette's brochure "1997/Prototypes and Extremely Rare Le Mat/Revolvers and Carbines/Alain F. Serpette's Collection" illustrates both bbl markings, which is a mistake. The English marking was transcribed in the book from carbine SN 208. Mr. Serpette favors the idea that this is a prototype; Val Forgett in LeMat, The Man, The Gun favors the brass frame and trigger guard as promotional or display features. This carbine had to have been made prior to 1865 as Mariette went out of business then and most likely made in 1863 along with the other few pinfire carbines known. Accompanied by first edition signed copy of Colonel François A. LE MAT by Alain & Marie Surpette, 1995 with this gun illustrated. PROVENANCE: Alain Serpette Collection; outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker, 1997. CONDITION: Very good overall. Cleaned in the European style with bright metal. Markings worn but mostly discernible as can be seen in photos. Stock is sound with a 2" inset at the toe and crack repair on left side at junction of frame. The stock carefully sanded overall and refinished. A very rare LeMat definitely made during the Civil War. 51957-25 JS (10,000-20,000)