A Rare LeMat And Girard's Patent Dual System Second Model 9-Shot Percussion 'Grape-Shot' Revolver
363
A Rare LeMat And Girard's Patent Dual System Second Model 9-Shot Percussion 'Grape-Shot' Revolver
No. 1122, Circa 1862-5
With 60-bore octagonal sighted barrel engraved 'Col. Le Mat Bté s.g.d.g Paris' in gothic script within a foliated panel along the top flat, fitted with rammer (possibly a replacement) on the left side and with round 18-bore 'grape-shot' barrel beneath, case-hardened serial numbered cylinder with knurled forward edge, squared action, case-hardened hammer with pivoting nose, trigger-guard, butt with integral lanyard ring, and chequered rounded grips (some refinishing); together with an additional cylinder serial numbered to the revolver (2)
17 cm. barrel
Sold for £6,875 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • First patented in America in 1856 Dr. Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat's famous revolver was ready for production by 1859. A partnership was formed with his cousin by marriage Major, later General, P.G.T. Beauregard who was an enthusiastic supporter of LeMat and his revolver, bringing it to the attention of the Confederate Military and even helping to finance it's production. By 1860 the partnership was over. However, the first production LeMat's were being built under the direction of Charles Federic Girard with whom LeMat had formed a new partnership in 1860. Formerly Assistant Secretary at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, Girard eventually acquired about 80% of the patent rights to the revolver and on his return to France oversaw the production of only about 3,000 of the revolvers between 1862 and 1865. The business became bankrupt following the defeat of the Confederacy. See Marie-Antoniette and Alain F. Serpette with Valmore J. Forgett, Colonel François A. Le Mat, 15 avril 1821-28, juillet 1895, 1995, pp. 40-51

Category: Arms and Armour

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