Our Price: sold

Very Fine 2nd Model Lemat Grapeshot Revolver. Serial number 1318. This is a beautiful original example of the standard production Confederate contracted LeMat grape-shot revolver retaining much original finish. Standard production Paris guns, often called 2nd Models, feature some improvements made by LeMat that worked the best after service in the field by Confederates in the field reporting problems in the early Civil War years. This gun still retains the reciprocating pin system for turning cylinder which would eventually be changed to the cog & ratchet system. (note: previous lot SN 1309 is the earliest noted gun with a experimental cog & ratchet). The revolver has the distinctive LeMat 9-shot cyl. 42 caliber rifled bbl with smooth bore ‘grape-shot’ 18 ga bbl for firing buckshot. Top bbl flat is engraved “Col. LeMat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris” which is the typical address on standard production revolvers.

Wiley Sword in his text Firepower From Abroad 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. Almost certainly the most popular side-arm of the Civil War then and now.

This is very fine example, all matching with fine aesthetics and high finish. Original bright blue finish is retained on about 50% of gun, balance of surface is mottled plum/gray with some staining, scratches and other minor cosmetic blemishes. Gun appears 100% original, authentic and matching. Serial number 1318 was found on barrel, shotgun barrel, loading arm & loading arm screw, plunger, cleaning rod, cylinder, frame, trigger, frame pin, each grip and grip screw. Mechanics are fine, bright well discerned shotgun and rifled bores.