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LeMat Revolver

The LeMat revolver is a cap-and-ball percussion handgun invented by Jean Alexandre LeMat, a French-born physician residing in New Orleans, who received United States Patent No. 15,925 for its "grapeshot" design on October 21, 1856.^[1]^[2] Distinguished by its innovative configuration, the revolver typically featured nine .42-caliber cylindrical chambers in a rotating cylinder for pistol rounds, augmented by a superimposed central smoothbore barrel of approximately .60 caliber (equivalent to 20 gauge) capable of firing buckshot or a single slug, selectable via a pivoting striker on the hammer.^[3]^[4] This dual-purpose arrangement provided enhanced close-quarters firepower, with production primarily occurring in Europe— including facilities in Paris, Birmingham, and Belgium—yielding an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 units, many of which were acquired by the Confederate States of America for cavalry and naval use during the American Civil War (1861–1865).^[3]^[5] Endorsed by Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard, who held a financial interest and reportedly carried one, the LeMat saw service among high-ranking officers and gained a reputation for reliability despite manufacturing challenges and the era's black powder limitations, though its complexity limited widespread adoption compared to standard single-action revolvers like the Colt Army model.^[2]^[6]

Invention and Development

Inventor Background

Jean Alexandre François LeMat was born in 1821 in Paris, France, into an aristocratic family.^[7] Initially pursuing studies for the priesthood, he shifted to medicine, training at a military hospital before immigrating to the United States in 1843 upon completing his medical education.^[3] Settling in New Orleans, Louisiana, by the 1850s, LeMat established himself as a physician while cultivating interests in invention, particularly firearms design, which he pursued as a sideline. LeMat's personal connections bolstered his inventive endeavors; he was related by marriage to Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard, a tie that later facilitated his alignment with Southern interests during the Civil War era. Described variably as a Creole physician—potentially self-designated given his French origins—LeMat demonstrated mechanical aptitude beyond medicine, patenting innovations amid a backdrop of pre-war Southern enthusiasm for advanced weaponry.^[8] His aristocratic upbringing and European training informed a design philosophy emphasizing multifunctionality, evident in his development of the revolver that bore his name by the mid-1850s. Though LeMat lived until 1895, his post-war life saw continued but less prominent inventive pursuits, overshadowed by the revolver's wartime legacy and production challenges.^[9] As a French expatriate in the American South, his background bridged Old World engineering traditions with Confederate military needs, positioning him uniquely for contributions to percussion firearm innovation.^[10]

Patent and Early Prototypes

Jean Alexandre Le Mat, a physician residing in New Orleans, Louisiana, secured United States Patent No. 15,925 on October 21, 1856, for an improved fire-arm design that incorporated a nine-shot revolving cylinder atop a central smoothbore barrel intended for shotgun ammunition.^[11] The patent specification detailed a pivoting striker mechanism on the hammer, allowing selective firing of either the revolver's percussion caps in the cylinder or the lower shotgun barrel, addressing the need for combined small-arms and scatter-shot capabilities in a single handgun.^[11] Le Mat, of French descent, drew on European firearms traditions while adapting the concept for American manufacturing contexts, with the design emphasizing reliability through a fixed shotgun barrel integrated beneath the rotating cylinder axis.^[12] Early prototypes emerged around 1859, with gunsmith John Krider of Philadelphia producing an initial batch estimated at 250 units to test the patented mechanism prior to larger-scale production.^[13] These pre-production models featured .42-caliber cylinders and 20-gauge shotgun barrels, hand-fitted to refine the pivoting hammer's alignment and cylinder lockup, though challenges with consistent ignition and barrel synchronization persisted in these handmade examples.^[3] Financed in part by Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard, Le Mat's relative, the Philadelphia prototypes served as proof-of-concept demonstrators, influencing subsequent refinements before wartime manufacturing shifted to Europe amid escalating sectional tensions.^[3] British patents granted in 1859 further validated the design internationally, facilitating prototype evaluations in London.^[14]

Design and Technical Specifications

Core Mechanism and Features

The LeMat revolver utilized a percussion cap ignition system, characteristic of black powder firearms of the era, where fulminate of mercury caps detonated to ignite powder charges in the cylinder chambers or the auxiliary barrel.^[3] This single-action mechanism required manual cocking of the hammer for each shot, with the trigger releasing it to fall on the selected percussion cap.^[15] Central to its operation was a rotating cylinder containing nine chambers, typically loaded with .42-caliber spherical lead balls using the cap-and-ball method: powder measured into each chamber, followed by a lubricated ball seated via ramrod, and topped with a greased cotton or felt wad, then capped.^[16] The cylinder indexed via a hand and stop mechanism synchronized with hammer cocking, aligning a loaded chamber with the fixed rifled barrel above the frame.^[13] Distinguishing the design, a smoothbore barrel of approximately .60 caliber (equivalent to 20-gauge) was positioned centrally beneath the rifled barrel, doubling as the cylinder's rotational axis.^[17] This secondary barrel accepted a charge of buckshot or a single slug, loaded similarly but accessed via a hinged lever assembly incorporating a ramrod for seating projectiles.^[3] The hammer featured a pivoting lower nose or striker, adjustable by a lever or manual positioning to selectively strike either the cylinder's nipple or the shotgun barrel's dedicated cap, allowing the user to alternate firing modes without tool intervention.^[12] Additional features included a spurred trigger guard for gloved operation and a loading gate absent, necessitating removal of the cylinder for full unloading in some configurations, though partial ejection via a tooth on the recoil shield was possible.^[15]

Calibers, Barrels, and Ammunition

The LeMat Revolver's primary firing mechanism utilized a nine-chamber cylinder chambered in .42 caliber, with each chamber accepting a .41-inch diameter lead ball secured by a greased patch and over-powder wad.^[18] The central axis of the cylinder incorporated a smoothbore barrel chambered in .63 caliber (nominally equivalent to 20 gauge, with a .65-inch bore diameter), designed for single-shot discharge of either a large lead ball or multiple projectiles.^[18] This dual-purpose configuration distinguished the design, allowing selective firing via a pivoting hammer nose that aligned with either the cylinder's nipples or the shotgun barrel's percussion nipple. The main barrel, positioned atop the cylinder, measured approximately 7.3 inches in length and featured rifling for the .42-caliber projectiles, with a partially octagonal profile in early models transitioning to full octagon in later production.^[18] The integral shotgun barrel was slightly shorter at 6.6 inches, protruding minimally from the cylinder face to facilitate loading while maintaining balance in the overall 14.1-inch pistol length.^[18] Both barrels were muzzle-loaded, with the revolver cylinder accessed via a side-mounted loading lever that swung outward to align the rammer.^[18] Ammunition for the cylinder consisted of black powder charges of 16 grains per chamber, topped with a 206-grain .41-inch lead ball, retained by wadding and sealed with percussion caps fitted to the cylinder's nipples (typically #10 or #11 size).^[18] The shotgun barrel employed heavier loads of 40 grains of black powder, supporting either a 406-grain lead ball or up to 15 buckshot pellets (.24-.30 inch diameter) for close-range dispersion, also secured with wadding and fired via a dedicated percussion cap.^[18] Loading required a jointed ramrod mounted parallel to the main barrel for compressing charges in the cylinder and central barrel, emphasizing the design's reliance on manual, cap-and-ball black powder technology without self-contained cartridges.^[18]

Materials and Construction

The LeMat revolver's primary structural components, including the frame, barrels, cylinder, and hammer, were forged and machined from high-quality steel, which was then blued to resist corrosion and enhance durability in field conditions.^[8] ^[3] The upper barrel featured rifling for .42-caliber (.41 actual bore) percussion balls, while the central lower barrel was smoothbore, chambered in 20-gauge (approximately .615-inch bore) for buckshot or a single large projectile, with the shotgun barrel doubling as the cylinder's axis pin.^[8] Grips were crafted from polished or checkered walnut for secure handling, often with a rounded butt to accommodate the revolver's substantial weight of around 4 pounds.^[8] Trigger guards and select internal parts on early European-manufactured models (produced in France and Belgium) were typically steel, reflecting pre-war industrial standards, though some incorporated brass for non-critical elements like the loading lever or guard.^[3] Confederate adaptations or late-war examples, constrained by Union blockades and material shortages, substituted brass for steel in frames and other load-bearing components to maintain production, resulting in lighter but potentially less robust assemblies prone to wear under repeated firing.^[3] Assembly involved hand-fitting of the nine-chamber cylinder to the frame for rotational alignment, with the pivoting hammer striker mechanism requiring precise machining to toggle between the upper rifled barrel and lower shotgun tube, ensuring reliable ignition via percussion caps.^[8] A loading ramrod, affixed parallel to the upper barrel, facilitated manual charging of black powder, wadding, and projectiles in the cap-and-ball system.

Production History

Manufacturing Locations and Challenges

The LeMat revolver's early prototypes were manufactured by gunsmith John Krider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prior to the American Civil War.^[13] Production attempts within the Confederacy, such as negotiations with Cook and Brothers in New Orleans, failed due to insufficient industrial infrastructure and skilled labor.^[8] Consequently, primary manufacturing shifted to Europe, with the bulk produced by Charles Frederic Girard and Son at 9 Passage Joinville in Paris, France, starting around 1861 to fulfill Confederate contracts.^[13]^[8] Some components were sourced from Auguste Francotte in Belgium, and later efforts considered or partially utilized facilities like the Birmingham Small Arms Company in England to address quality inconsistencies in French output.^[13]^[8] Key challenges stemmed from the Confederacy's limited manufacturing capacity, including shortages of machinery, raw materials, and specialized workmen, which necessitated outsourcing despite risks of interception during transatlantic shipment.^[2] The revolver's intricate design—featuring a nine-shot cylinder, pivoting hammer striker, and integrated shotgun barrel—complicated fabrication, as it required precise custom machining not suited to mass production methods available at the time.^[13]^[19] In Paris, reliance on cottage-industry techniques led to non-interchangeable parts and inconsistent quality in early models, prompting iterative design modifications like simplified barrel locks and roll-stamped markings to improve reliability and reduce costs.^[19]^[8] These factors, combined with the weapon's high production expense—initially $35 per unit in Confederate currency, later inflating to $80—hindered scalability and contributed to only a fraction of ordered units being completed by war's end.^[20]^[2]

Output Quantities and Blockade Impacts

Approximately 2,900 LeMat revolvers were manufactured between 1856 and 1865, primarily in Paris, France, and Liège, Belgium, with serial numbers for Paris-made examples ranging from 1 to around 2,500.^[16] The Confederate government contracted for 5,000 units in August 1861 at $35 each in Confederate currency, later expanding ambitions to 8,000, but production fell short due to logistical constraints and wartime disruptions.^[14]^[13] No significant domestic Confederate production occurred, as attempts to manufacture locally were limited by material shortages and industrial capacity; instead, European output was routed through Birmingham, England, for transshipment to circumvent direct trade restrictions.^[14]^[3] The Union naval blockade, proclaimed by President Lincoln on April 19, 1861, severely restricted imports of arms to the Confederacy, including LeMat revolvers, by patrolling southern ports and interdicting blockade runners.^[21] Of the roughly 2,900 produced abroad, estimates indicate only about 1,500 successfully evaded the blockade and reached Confederate forces, with the remainder either captured, diverted, or undelivered amid intensifying naval enforcement that reduced successful runs to under 10% by war's end.^[22]^[3] This shortfall exacerbated Confederate shortages of revolvers, forcing reliance on captured Union arms or inferior local substitutes, though LeMat's design appealed to cavalry officers for its firepower despite delivery uncertainties.^[8]

Variants

Percussion Models

The percussion models of the LeMat revolver represented the original cap-and-ball black powder design patented by Jean Alexandre LeMat in 1856, featuring a nine-shot cylinder chambered for .42-caliber (nominal .41-inch bore) round ball ammunition loaded with loose black powder and percussion caps. These models incorporated a distinctive central smoothbore barrel of 20-gauge, capable of firing a single 400-grain ball or a charge of buck-and-ball shotgun load, providing a total of ten shots in a single handgun frame.^[19] The upper rifled barrel measured approximately 6.75 inches in length, with an overall revolver length of about 13.25 inches, constructed primarily from blued steel and fitted with polished walnut grips.^[8] A key mechanical feature was the pivoting hammer striker, which could be positioned via a lever to strike either the nipples of the revolver cylinder or the percussion cap on the shotgun barrel, allowing selective firing between the two without reloading the cylinder.^[23] Early production included a loading lever or ramrod aligned parallel to the barrels for seating projectiles and powder charges, though later iterations simplified this mechanism to reduce weight and complexity.^[19] First-model examples, produced in limited numbers prior to 1861, retained the full ram lever assembly and were marked accordingly, while subsequent models transitioned to a "baby ramrod" or eliminated it entirely for field expediency.^[3] A smaller variant, known as the Baby LeMat, chambered the cylinder in .32 caliber and was developed specifically for Confederate naval use, maintaining the dual-barrel configuration but scaled down for compact carry.^[13] Percussion LeMats were manufactured initially in the United States by firms like John Krider of Philadelphia for prototypes, with wartime production shifting to Birmingham, England, and Paris, France, yielding an estimated total of around 2,900 units before transitioning to post-percussion adaptations.^[3] These models saw primary employment by Confederate forces during the American Civil War, prized for their firepower despite challenges in reloading and maintenance inherent to cap-and-ball technology.^[16]

Post-Percussion Adaptations

Following the transition from percussion cap systems to self-contained metallic cartridges in the late 19th century, LeMat revolvers underwent limited adaptations to pinfire mechanisms, primarily in European production. These variants retained the distinctive nine-shot cylinder and lower smoothbore barrel but incorporated a modified hammer with a pivoting striker to strike the protruding pins of pinfire cartridges loaded into the revolving chambers.^[24] The shotgun barrel in these models typically remained a muzzle-loading percussion design, requiring separate powder, shot, and cap loading, which preserved some original functionality while updating the primary revolver action.^[25] Belgian manufacturers produced such pinfire LeMats for the European market, with calibers around 11mm for the rifled barrel and 20-gauge for the smoothbore, though output was minimal compared to percussion models.^[24] These adaptations reflected broader industry shifts toward cartridge firearms but were not widely adopted due to the LeMat's specialized design and competition from simpler revolvers.^[12] Centerfire cartridge versions of the LeMat revolver emerged as even rarer post-percussion developments, with documented examples including both pistols and carbines chambered for centerfire ammunition. These adaptations replaced the pinfire or percussion ignition with a centerfire primer system, potentially in calibers compatible with contemporary European cartridges, though specific production details remain obscure and quantities were negligible.^[26] Such models, examined in collections like those at Rock Island Auction, demonstrate experimental efforts to modernize the grapeshot concept amid advancing firearm technology, but lacked commercial success and are primarily known through surviving prototypes.^[27] No evidence indicates mass production or military adoption for these centerfire variants, underscoring their status as niche innovations.^[26]

Military Employment

Confederate Service in the Civil War

The LeMat revolver was contracted by the Confederate Ordnance Department during the American Civil War, with initial agreements calling for up to 5,000 to 8,000 units to equip Southern forces, though the Union naval blockade severely curtailed imports.^[8]^[13] Production, shifted to European centers in Liège, Belgium, Paris, France, and Birmingham, England, after failed Southern manufacturing attempts, yielded approximately 2,900 total revolvers from 1856 to 1865, of which an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 reached Confederate hands via blockade runners transshipping through neutral ports like England.^[3]^[8] General P.G.T. Beauregard, a Louisiana native and early financial backer of inventor Jean Alexandre LeMat, championed the design and carried an engraved personal example presented by LeMat himself, recommending it for cavalry charges against infantry squares or irregular warfare.^[13]^[2] The weapon's appeal lay in its hybrid configuration—a nine-shot .40- or .42-caliber cylinder atop a central .60- or .63-caliber smoothbore shotgun barrel capable of firing buckshot—offering superior close-range firepower compared to standard single-action revolvers like the Colt Army model.^[8] Favored primarily by officers rather than rank-and-file troops due to limited quantities and non-standard ammunition requiring custom .42-caliber balls, the LeMat saw service among notable figures including Beauregard, Major Generals Braxton Bragg and Richard H. Anderson, cavalry commander J.E.B. Stuart, and Colonel George S. Patton (grandfather of the World War II general).^[8]^[13] It was officially recognized in Confederate ordnance references, such as the "Field Manual for the Use of Officers on Ordnance Duty," which listed it among approved sidearms for army issue.^[14] While prized for its versatility in pistol-and-shotgun duality suited to mounted or trench combat, the LeMat's adoption was hampered by mechanical intricacy, heavy recoil from the shotgun barrel, and inaccuracy beyond short ranges, factors that confined it to elite or specialized roles rather than mass issuance.^[13]^[8] No large-scale unit deployments are documented, but surviving examples and officer accounts attest to its use in various engagements, underscoring its status as a distinctive, if niche, Confederate arm.^[3]

Notable Users and Combat Instances

General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, a key Confederate commander, received an early prototype of the LeMat revolver and carried an engraved .42-caliber example during the Civil War, valuing its dual-barrel design for enhanced firepower in close engagements.^[13] ^[5] Major General Braxton Bragg, who led forces in major campaigns such as the Battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga, also utilized the LeMat as a personal sidearm, drawn to its nine-shot capacity plus shotgun barrel amid the Confederacy's ammunition shortages.^[3] ^[13] Cavalry leader Major General J.E.B. Stuart, renowned for his aggressive mounted tactics, favored the LeMat for its "one-two punch" suitability in saber charges and pistol duels, reportedly carrying it through operations like the 1862 Peninsula Campaign and the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign, where its grapeshot feature could deliver devastating blasts at short range.^[28] ^[29] General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson is likewise associated with the revolver, having been presented one by inventor Jean Alexandre LeMat to secure military contracts; its serial number and provenance remain unverified, but period accounts link it to his service until his 1863 wounding at Chancellorsville.^[5] ^[3] Combat instances involving the LeMat were predominantly anecdotal and confined to Confederate cavalry skirmishes, given the weapon's limited production of approximately 2,900 units despite an initial 8,000-order from the Confederate government in 1861.^[5] Its use in field actions, such as Stuart's raids, emphasized the shotgun barrel's buckshot load for stopping charges at under 20 yards, though reliability issues like cylinder misalignment and loading lever failures often hampered performance under sustained fire.^[13] ^[28] No large-scale battles are definitively credited with decisive LeMat contributions, as its deployment favored elite officers over rank-and-file troops, and surviving ordnance reports prioritize standard Colt and Remington patterns.^[5]

Performance Assessment

Operational Advantages

The LeMat Revolver provided enhanced firepower over standard cap-and-ball revolvers of the era, featuring a nine-shot cylinder chambered in .42 caliber alongside a central 20-gauge smoothbore barrel capable of firing buckshot or a single ball.^[15] This dual-purpose design yielded ten discharges per load—nine pistol rounds plus one shotgun blast—surpassing the six-shot capacity of prevalent models like the Colt 1851 Navy or 1860 Army.^[30] The arrangement allowed Confederate cavalry and officers to sustain longer engagements without immediate reloading, a critical edge in fluid mounted combat where spare time for maintenance was scarce.^[13] A key operational benefit stemmed from the revolver's pivoting hammer striker, operated by a thumb-actuated lever, which permitted instantaneous switching between the cylinder and shotgun barrel without dismounting or altering grip.^[5] In close-quarters scenarios, such as repelling boarders or infantry charges, the shotgun mode delivered a spread of multiple projectiles, increasing hit probability and terminal effect against unarmored foes at under 10 yards, where black-powder revolver accuracy often faltered due to fouling and windage.^[19] Historical accounts note this versatility appealed to dragoons and artillery crews, who valued the weapon's capacity for both precise aimed fire and area denial in one compact arm, reducing the encumbrance of carrying separate shoulder-fired shotguns.^[8] The LeMat's bulk—approximately 4 pounds loaded with a 7-inch barrel—suited holstered carry by officers on horseback, where the added weight was offset by the multifunctional payload, enabling sustained suppression during retreats or pursuits.^[13] Favored by figures like P.G.T. Beauregard and J.E.B. Stuart, its adoption reflected perceived tactical utility in the Confederacy's resource-constrained environment, prioritizing volume of fire over refined ergonomics.^[8] This configuration theoretically amplified a user's lethality in the chaotic, low-range firefights characteristic of Civil War cavalry actions, though empirical combat data remains anecdotal due to limited production of around 2,500 units.^[5]

Reliability Issues and Criticisms

The LeMat revolver's mechanical design, while innovative, exhibited vulnerabilities to black powder fouling, particularly in early models where the pin lockup system for the cylinder was prone to jamming after repeated firings due to residue buildup.^[13] This fouling necessitated meticulous cleaning to maintain chamber alignment and function, a process that could exceed 30 minutes even with modern solvents and was far more challenging in field conditions using rudimentary methods like creek water.^[31] Historical ordnance board evaluations likely identified such fouling and loading complications as factors in limiting its adoption, contributing to reports of defective units noted by Confederate States Naval Commander James Bulloch during inspections.^[31] Loading the weapon proved operationally burdensome, as its nine individual chambers required separate powder, ball, and cap charges without practical support for paper cartridges, which were scarce; this process demanded the user remain stationary and apply considerable force, rendering it infeasible on horseback or under combat stress.^[31] The integrated loading lever, intended to ram charges, was fragile and frequently broke or bent, leading over 90% of surviving examples to lack one, as users discarded it for impracticality; reproductions confirm this weakness under normal loading pressures.^[31] ^[17] Consequently, the revolver was seldom reloaded in battle, with soldiers typically preparing it in camp, which reduced its effectiveness in prolonged engagements.^[31] Practical criticisms centered on its ergonomics and performance limitations, including excessive weight at 3.1 pounds and length exceeding 12 inches, making it unwieldy for extended carry or rapid handling, especially by untrained troops.^[17] The non-standard .42-caliber chambers (with rare .36 or .44 conversions late in the war) complicated ammunition logistics, often forcing users to cast bullets on-site, while the design's complexity hindered consistent manufacturing quality, as seen in initial French production flaws that necessitated relocation to England.^[13] ^[8] Accuracy suffered beyond close quarters, with the upper revolver barrel lacking precision at distance and the lower shotgun barrel proving difficult to independently aim due to its fixed alignment beneath the cylinder.^[8] ^[13] Soldiers also reported notable recoil, further underscoring its marginal utility in high-intensity combat scenarios compared to simpler single-purpose revolvers.^[13]

Post-War Legacy and Reproductions

Survival and Collectibility of Originals

Fewer than 3,000 LeMat revolvers were produced overall between 1856 and 1865, with approximately 2,900 manufactured primarily in Liège, Belgium, and Paris, France, though delivery shortfalls limited Confederate receipt to around 1,500 units during the Civil War.^[13]^[3] Combat attrition, corrosion from black powder residues, and post-war dispersal reduced survival rates significantly, leaving only a small number of originals intact today, often in private collections or museums. Estimates suggest that for early models retaining original loading assemblies, survival may be as low as 10-20%, underscoring their scarcity among percussion-era firearms.^[32] Original LeMats command premium value in the collector market due to their historical ties to the Confederacy and innovative design, with condition, serial number, and provenance driving prices. Standard examples in fair to good condition typically auction for $10,000 or more, while exceptional pieces exceed $50,000; for instance, a well-preserved early serial number revolver sold for $53,000 in 2023.^[13] Historically attributed firearms fetch even higher sums, such as serial number 8, once owned by General P.G.T. Beauregard, which realized $224,250 at auction.^[33] Confederate-marked or low-serial Paris-made variants (e.g., numbers 950-2500) are particularly prized for authenticity verification via matching components and markings. Collectibility is enhanced by the revolver's rarity relative to standard Civil War handguns like the Colt Army, but tempered by mechanical complexities that complicate restoration and functionality testing. Auction houses such as Rock Island Auction Company frequently feature LeMats, where buyer interest from advanced Civil War arms enthusiasts sustains demand, though fakes and unauthorized conversions from pinfire models require expert authentication.^[3] Provenance-linked specimens, like General Braxton Bragg's, have sold for $103,500, reflecting premiums for documented military use over generic survivors.^[34]

Modern Replica Production

The Italian firearms manufacturer Fabarm F.A.P. Pietta, based in Gussago near Brescia, has produced functional black powder replicas of the LeMat revolver since 1985, replicating the original percussion cap design with a nine-shot .44-caliber cylinder and a central 20-gauge smoothbore shotgun barrel.^[35]^[36] These reproductions maintain historical accuracy in layout, including the pivoting hammer striker for selecting between the revolver cylinder and shotgun barrel, and are constructed with blued steel frames, octagonal rifle barrels typically measuring 6.75 inches, and checkered walnut grips.^[37]^[38] In September 2025, Pietta reintroduced updated variants of the LeMat replica exclusively through U.S. distributor MidwayUSA, offering models such as the Army, Navy, and Cavalry configurations, all chambered in .44 caliber with capacities of nine revolver rounds plus one shotgun load.^[36]^[39] Retail prices for these muzzleloading replicas begin at approximately $1,360, emphasizing hand-fitted components and authentic detailing to appeal to historical reenactors and collectors.^[39] U.S. importers and distributors, including EMF Company, Dixie Gun Works, and Muzzle-Loaders.com, have handled Pietta's LeMat replicas, with earlier efforts under brands like Navy Arms serving as rebranded imports of the same Italian production.^[40]^[41] No other major manufacturers currently produce functional LeMat replicas, positioning Pietta as the primary source for modern reproductions faithful to the 19th-century design.^[42]

References

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LeMat Second Model Percussion Revolver - NRA Museums:
On Oct. 21, 1856, Dr. Jean Alexandre Francois Le Mat, a physician of French extraction living in New Orleans, secured U. S. patent #15925. Reduced to ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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G. T. Beauregard's Revolver - Encyclopedia Virginia
During the Civil War, however, the Confederate War Department ordered 5,000 LeMat revolvers at the rate of $35 per gun in Confederate notes (the rate would ...
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Invented by native Frenchman Dr. Jean Alexandre LeMat of New Orleans, these fascinating combination guns were primarily produced in Belgium, Paris, and England, ...Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications
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LeMat revolver - CivilWar@Smithsonian
They were made in Paris, France, and Birmingham, England. Many were purchased by the Confederacy and used by such famous high-ranking Confederate officers as ...
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Jul 11, 2013 · Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat. Born in Paris to an aristocratic family, he studied first for the priesthood before taking up medicine at a ...
[8]
Weaponry: Le Mat - HistoryNet
Jun 12, 2006 · ... Jean Alexandre François Le Mat, a Paris-born aristocrat who designed firearms in his spare time. A Creole physician (perhaps self-proclaimed) ...Missing: background biography
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The Civil War's LeMat Revolver: 'The Doctor' is in (VIDEO) - Guns.com
Jul 1, 2013 · With the Civil War warming up, LeMat quickly captured a 5000-unit contract for his revolver at $35 per weapon, more than twice the price of ...
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LeMat Revolver Civil War Pistol LeMat Gun Firearm Rifle Shot
Jean Alexandre François LeMat*, a French physician living in New Orleans , patented the LeMat revolver in the United States on October 21, 1856.
[11]
US15925A - Improved fire-arm - Google Patents
ALEXANDRE LE MAT, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. IIVIPROVED FIRE-ARM. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 15,925, dated October 21, 1856. To all whom ...
[12]
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Jean Alexandre Francois Le Mat, a physician of French extraction living in New Orleans, secured U. S. patent #15925. Reduced to a few words, his application ...
[13]
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Oct 28, 2024 · Here we discuss the history, use and legacy of the iconic LeMat revolver, the Confederate hand cannon of the Civil War.
[14]
[PDF] FIREARMS - Latin American Studies
The first patent issued to LeMat by the British Patent. Office was in 1859, and is applicable to both muzzle and breech loader. His second patent, No. 1,081 ...
[15]
The Double-Barreled LeMat Revolver | Outdoor Life
May 3, 2022 · The LeMat Revolver was a Civil War-Era Pistol That Doubled as a Shotgun. The LeMat fires a .42-caliber bullet from a rifled barrel, and 20-gauge from a second ...
[16]
LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver) - Military Factory
The LeMat revolver consisted of a 9-shot revolving cylinder (chambered for "cap and ball" ammunition) coupled with a 16-gauge buckshot barrel held underneath ...
[17]
Fistful of Firepower - HistoryNet
Oct 26, 2016 · The LeMat, or Grapeshot Revolver, coupled a revolving cylinder that held nine rounds with a secondary barrel that could hold a buckshot or a lead ball.<|separator|>
[18]
[PDF] CONFEDERATE HANDGUNS - Latin American Studies
The first indication that Le Mat was of an inventive nature appears in 1856, when he was granted a patent by the United States patent office for a revolver ...
[19]
The LeMat's Grapeshot' Revolver - GUNS Magazine
LeMat dreamed of even more shock and awe. In 1856, he applied for a patent on a 9-shot revolver, rotating on an 18-gauge shotgun barrel capable of shooting one ...Civil War Shock 'n Awe · Into Production · Living Antiquity
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[21]
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During the Civil War, Union forces established a blockade of Confederate ports designed to prevent the export of cotton and the smuggling of war materiel into ...
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May 25, 2023 · Of the 2,900 LeMats produced in Europe, only an estimated 1,500 passed through the Federal blockade to the Confederates.Missing: impact | Show results with:impact
[23]
The Le Mat Revolver - Giving It Both Barrels Since 1856 - Henry Krank
Feb 13, 2020 · Invented by the French physician Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat in 1856, the Le Mat's revolver combined nine shots of .36 or .42 ball, and one 16g shotgun load.<|separator|>
[24]
Belgian LeMat Pinfire "Grapeshot" Revolver | Rock Island Auction
Sep 11, 2020 · This revolver has a nine-shot pinfire cylinder and a muzzle loading percussion shot barrel. These pinfire versions were mainly sold in Europe.
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Pinfire LeMat Grapeshot Revolver at RIA - Forgotten Weapons
Apr 20, 2015 · This LeMat revolver is one of the pinfire examples, which still has a 9-shot cylinder and retains the percussion mechanism for the center smoothbore barrel.
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Nov 28, 2014 · Colonel LeMat is best known for his 9-shot muzzleloading .42 caliber revolver with its 20 gauge shot barrel acting as cylinder axis pin ...Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications
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Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuarts and His Wild LeMat Revolver
Feb 15, 2011 · The LeMat revolver, called the "grapeshot revolver," had a nine-shot cylinder and a hidden shotgun, and was used by J.E.B. Stuart.
[29]
General JEB Stuart's LeMat Pistol – The Historic Art of John Paul ...
The LeMat revolver was invented in New Orleans by Jean Alexandre LeMat in 1856. Known as the “Grapeshot Revolver” because it sported a 20 gauge smooth bore ...Missing: steel brass components
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LeMat Revolver | An Official Journal Of The NRA - American Rifleman
Apr 3, 2014 · The LeMat "grape-shot" revolver was a favorite of Confederate cavalrymen during the Civil War thanks to its central shotgun barrel and ...
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[PDF] Some Thoughts on the Confederate LeMat Revolver
1. There were apparently few paper cartridges avail- able for the LeMat pistols, even during the Civil War. A subsequent LeMat owner would probably ...
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Original LeMat revolver | Canadian Gun Nutz
Feb 20, 2012 · LeMat began producing the weapon with the backing of Beauregard, who resigned his U.S. Army Commission to become a general in the Confederate ...
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Ask The Civil War Appraiser - LeMat Revolver
Sep 19, 2022 · Based on research, this gun was most likely made early 1863. We know that most of the first Confederate revolvers were purchased under ...
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The 7 Most Sought-After Civil War Guns | Rock Island Auction
Confederate General Braxton Bragg's LeMat revolver realized an incredible $103,500 during Rock Island Auction Company's December 2021 Premier Firearms Auction.
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Need help finding production date of this LeMat that came to my ...
Jan 18, 2024 · The Pietta company of Brescia, Italy has manufactured modern reproductions of the LeMat revolver since 1985. United States distributors include ...Col. LeMat's Grapeshot Revolvers? | The Muzzleloading ForumOpportunity to pick up a LeMat revolver | The Muzzleloading ForumMore results from www.muzzleloadingforum.com
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Pietta Reintroduces The Historic LeMat Revolver - Gun Digest
Sep 17, 2025 · The blackpowder Pietta LeMat revolvers are exclusively available at MidwayUSA and come in four variants, though all are .44 caliber and have 9- ...<|separator|>
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https://muzzle-loaders.com/products/pietta-le-mat-calvary-black-powder-revolver-44-caliber-walnut-grip-lmc44
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https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1028797089
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First Look: Pietta LeMat Revolver | An Official Journal Of The NRA
Sep 29, 2025 · The cap and ball LeMat revolver's claim to fame is its double barrel configuration. The main cylinder has a capacity of 9 shots and spins ...
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LeMat - EMF Company, Inc.
This sidearm was developed in New Orleans in 1856 by Jean Alexander LeMat. He entered a partnership with PGT Beauregard (a major in the US Army).
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PH0433 PIETTA LEMAT ARMY REVOLVER - Dixie Gun Works
The revolver uses #11 caps. The cylinder is 9 shot .44 caliber. Hammer is color case hardened as is the trigger. Original "COL. LEMAT" markings are present on ...
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LeMat revolver? : r/blackpowder - Reddit
Feb 25, 2022 · Pietta is the only current maker. Other companies made a reproduction in the past that you might get cheaper but the problem is if you have ...Anybody have any recommendations for LeMat reproductions?Does anyone know where to get a working replica LeMat Revolver?More results from www.reddit.com