Cummings, 3rd assistant engineer of the confederate raider css alabama. This is a substantially smaller gun than the normal lemat, although it retains a 9shot cylinder and a central barrel. Lees cavalry commander used the lemat, and his is on display at the museum of the confederacy in richmond, va. A bit of an aristocrat it requires some study and a more delicate touch when loading. Roughly 2,900 were produced, developed in new orleans in 1856 by dr. The main point of interest is that this percussion revolver had a nine. Lemat grape shot revolver nineshot capandball revolver. Ph0608 pietta lemat cavalry revolver dixie gun works. Lemat immigrated to the united states in 1843 and in 1849 he married justine sophie.
The lemat wasnt just a revolver in addition to its bullets, it packed a unique last ditch wallop in the form of a shotgun blast from under the barrel. Beauregard, besides being lemats cousin, was one of the first u. Lemat revolver pistol civil war lemat revolver shotgun gun. The man behind these unusual revolvers, john henry fitzgerald, worked for colt firearms from 1918 until 1944. Jean alexandre lemat of new orleans, which featured an unusual secondary 16 gauge smoothbore barrel capable of firing buckshot. Lemat was born in france in 1821 and studied for the priesthood at an early age. That changed when purchasers for the confederate navy, intrigued by the le mat pistols manufactured for the rebel army, negotiated a contract with the french arms dealers for a lighter. Colonel lemat is best known for his 9shot muzzleloading. Since the lemat revolver was such a truly unique firearm design, and is closely associated with the confederate cause, america remembers is proud to introduce a unique individually handengraved edition in remembrance of the 150th anniversary of the civil war. The britishmade enfield rifle was so valued by the south during the american civil war that blockade runners cargoed shipments of these arms right up to the last days of the great rebellion. Originally, all le mat revolvers came in one model. I found this to be a very informative book on civil war firearms. Ps, floridaboy, if you are thinking of getting a lemat, get the navy model. Lemat revolver used prominently in movie forsaken non.
Since the lemat revolver was such a truly unique firearm design, and is closely. I would think the lemat would be great fun and a great piece of history. The distinguishing characteristic of lemats revolver. Lemat 1869 centerfire cartridge model 11mm 20 gauge. Lemat revolver rare confederate 1st model lemat grapeshot. Oct 01, 2016 one of the rarest models of lemat grapeshot revolver is this, the baby lemat. In the early transition from the longlived flintlock system, handgun development closely paralleled that of the long arms. The lemat was a private venture development begun in 1855 intended as a heavy weapon for mounted cavalry officers with design attributed to dr. Lemat gurps wild west wiki fandom powered by wikia. Days gone ultimate infinite horde 1 million gold rank black friday challenge old sawmill duration. This year pietta has introduced a new enameling in their popular lemat revolver, which they have made since 1985.
It saw service with the armed forces of the confederate states of america during the american civil war of 186165 and the. Lemat immigrated to the united states in 1843 and in 1849 he married justine sophie lepretre, the cousin of u. Beauregard, besides being lemat s cousin, was one of the first u. Beauregard, a highly prominent confederate officer, the lemat revolver project quickly because a.
The lemat revolver has always held a special place in the hearts of civil war enthusiasts. Jean alexandre lemat of new orleans, which featured an unusual secondary 20 gauge smoothbore barrel capable of firing buckshot. Sp6640 loading lever plunger screw for reproduction lemat conf. Pietta lemat cavalry model percussion revolver reproduction. Bufe coker, a character in both the novel and miniseries centennial carries a lemat revolver. The gun was famed for its 9 shot capacity and an under barrel 16 or 18 gauge shotgun, and was favored by confederate soldiers during the civil war. When he finally does act, he acquires a lemat revolver along with a colt to get the job done. Lemat of new orleans and manufactured in paris, france, and birhamingham, england.
If you have never seen a lemat, it is quite a dandy. It saw service with the armed forces of the confederate states during the american civil war of 186165. This unique sidearm was also known as the grape shot revolver. Jun 08, 2016 the film does a really good job of showing the emotional side of a cw veteran and now gunfighter struggling with his self identity, and touches on his emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma of being in the battle of shiloh. Many were purchased by the confederacy and used by such famous high ranking confederate officers as j. It saw service with the armed forces of the confederate states of america during the american civil war of 186165 and the army of the government of national defense during the. It saw service with the armed forces of the confederate states of america during the american civil war of 186165. Jean alexander francois lemat of new orleans, louisiana. Lemat pistol deathlands wiki fandom powered by wikia. Ordnance and became very popular with the mounted troops.
Fully documented, rare, historical css alabama london lemat revolver owned by confederate lt. This exciting new book, described as having the intrigue of a spy novel, tells the story of lemats wartime adventures aboard blockade runners and alongside the famous leaders of the confederacy, as well as exploring, as never before, the unique revolvers that he manufactured for the southern cause. Colonel lemat was the man that held the patent on this unique revolver. Lemat centerfire pistol and carbine at ria forgotten weapons. The mid1800s were a time in american history that gave birth to a number of innovative firearm designs, and this truly unique, unusual sidearm was also known as the grape shot revolver. It is the desirable pistol known to collectors as the lemat revolver. Jean alexandre francois lemat 18211895 is best known for the percussion cap revolver that bears his name see lemat revolver. The lemat percussion revolver was invented by a french american gunsmith and first issued in 1861. Rare cased pinfire lemat grapeshot revolver pinfire lemat revolver manufactured in liege, belgium, between 1863 and 1865. The film does a really good job of showing the emotional side of a cw veteran and now gunfighter struggling with his self identity, and touches on his emotional, psychological and spiritual trauma of being in the battle of shiloh. Lemat revolver national museum of american history. This ad is for the pictured reproduction lemat revolver with the 20 gauge shotgun barrel in a handmade wood case.
Sep 01, 2006 the lemat revolver has always held a special place in the hearts of civil war enthusiasts. The book addresses all aspects of lemats unique handgun and weapons. Mp6631 barrel locking pin for reproduction lemat conf. The mid19th century was a time in american history that gave birth to a. Although manufactured in europe, jean alexander lemats ingenious revolver was first patented in america in 1856. It was constructed of blued steel, with polished walnut grips. It was developed in new orleans in 1856 by jean alexander le mat, whose manufacturing effort was backed by major p. Browse and buy a vast selection of firearms books and collectibles on. In the 100th book in the series, prodigals return, doc upgrades to a modern replica chambered for. It saw service with the armed forces of the confederate states of america during the american civil war of 186165 and the army of the. The 1860 army revolver, because of its lighter weight, improved balance and superior ballistics was adopted by the u.
Why wasnt the lemat revolver ever given a cartridge conversion. All of our lemat defarbing is done inhouse by gunsmith david stavlo. Here is a wonderful piece of history i sold in 2006 lemat revolver rare 1st model confederate lemat grapeshot revolver. Tp6633 loading lever spring for reproduction lemat conf. Pietta spare cylinder half fluted 1851, 1860, 1861 navy 44 caliber. It is more rugged due to the knob barrel release, different from the lever that would not flip down when the weapon fires. This exciting new book describes lemats wartime adventures aboard blockade runners and alongside the famous leaders of the confederacy, as well as exploring, as never before, the unique revolvers that he manufactured for the southern cause a brand new quality book from a fulltime veteran owned bookshop in business since 1992. A fascinating look at the history and development of the revolver. Nov 28, 2014 colonel lemat is best known for his 9shot muzzleloading. The interesting thing about the lemat was that it had two barrelsone was a nineshot cap and ball revolver, and the other fired buckshot. Lemat revolver internet movie firearms database guns in. Lemat revolver internet movie firearms database guns. The mid1800s were a time in american history that gave birth to a number of innovative firearm designs, including this truly unique sidearm, also known as the grape shot revolver.
The special feature of the lemat is that the cylinder rotates around a 20 gauge shotgun barrel, with a simple flick of a switch on the hammer selecting between pistol shots and a shotgun blast. The conical ball cast by the lemat mold throws a heavy punch and the shot capacity is unmatched in any bp revolver. Go to the dixie gun works website, find the lemat navy, and read the comments about it. Lemat revolver confederate lemat revolver defarbing sevice. One of the rarest models of lemat grapeshot revolver is this, the baby lemat. Jean alexandre lemat of new orleans in 1856 typical of the mid 19th century surge in american firearm development, this revolver demonstrated true invention.
Begun as a partnership between alexander lemat, a french inventor from new orleans, and p. The lemat revolver was a favorite of famous highranking confederate officers, such as j. Beauregard, who was to become a general with the confederacy. This of itself makes the le mat revolver a rare find. The percussion revolver emerged in the 1830s and remained stateoftheart until metallic cartridge revolvers came into common use in. In the 100th book in the series, prodigals return, doc upgrades to a modern. Why wasnt the lemat revolver ever given a cartridge. The nagant m1895 revolver has a 7shot cylinder, the webleyfosbery automatic revolver has an 8shot cylinder in. Ezra justice in the novel the justice riders written by chuck norris uses a lemat revolver. Few arms carried a more lethal potential than did this 9shot revolver, with its extra shotgun barrel. Tp6634 barrel locking pin spring for reproduction lemat conf. Lemat revolver civil war pistol lemat gun firearm rifle shot shotgun. The revolver has a 6 12 inch octagon barrel and nine shot cylinder chambered for the 12 mm lefaucheux pinfire cartridge and fluted nineshot cylinder along with the distinctive lemat 4 12inch 20 gauge smoothbore. Fitz was also a new york state trooper and firearms instructor, as well as a member of colts sales team.
Jean francois alexander lemat decided to return to his native france where he continued to improve and modernize the design of his revolver and. In 1836, connecticutborn gun manufacturer samuel colt 181462 received a u. After the introduction of cartridgefiring revolvers, lemat did make. A close look at the pictures will show you all the details. The mid19th century was a time in american history. Was the civil war vintage lemat revolver ever modified to take. Jean alexandre francois lemat 18211895 is best known for the percussion cap revolver that bears his name see lemat revolver lemat was born in france in 1821 and studied for the priesthood at an early age. Jan 28, 2018 days gone ultimate infinite horde 1 million gold rank black friday challenge old sawmill duration. Lemat revolver civil war pistol lemat gun firearm rifle shot. Please feel free to call us at 410 820 8811 if you have any questions or are interested in purchasing this firearm. The lemat was an american civil war 18611865 revolver emerging from the resourcesstrapped confederate states of america. Outstanding high quality and solidly built revolver. The caplock revolvers took on a separate evolution and remained state of. For defensive purposes, buy a modern revolver that you can buy or reload cartridges for.
Another good book is doug adams the confederate lemat revolver which you will find if you click here. Le mats revolvers and revolving carbines you may be interested in valmore j. Since each tribute is handengraved, each is a piece of history that will certainly be. The mid19th century was a time in american history that gave birth to a number of innovative firearm designs. The distinguishing characteristic of lemats revolver is that its 9. The idea behind the fitz special was to streamline a revolver for defensive use. The lemat was a favorite sidearm of confederate generals jeb stuart and p. Lemat revolver wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online. Here is your chance to own a gun that is arguably the most desirable of all civil war weapons. Prototypes and extremely rare le mat lemat revolvers and carbines alain. Jean lemat hoped to market his adaptable revolver as a primary sidearm for dragoons and other mounted troops. Even more rare were the revolving carbines of which few were made and even fewer survive.