LeMat Revolver

Okefinokee Outlaw · January 03, 2013, 06:18:48 PM

Approved if loaded with 5 rounds?

WaddWatsonEllis · January 03, 2013, 08:07:21 PM

Okeefinokkee Outlaw,

LeMat revolvers were only 'issued' to field grade Confederate officers and above ...so unless your personna is a Major or better, I am not sure what an NCOWS judge would do ...

pony express · January 03, 2013, 08:15:26 PM

WWE, Unless you're going in the "origionals" class, I doubt anyone would be that particular.

WaddWatsonEllis · January 03, 2013, 08:53:23 PM

Pony Express,

I am glad for Okefenokee my thought was to pre-check it with a judge before purchasing it ... that is a lot of money just to end up with a story on a wall ....

Okefinokee Outlaw · January 03, 2013, 09:29:55 PM

My personna takes me from the South to the West, but I'm hoping someone might be able to tell me if LeMats were ever seen in the West. Seems plausible, but I don't want to invent history.

Pancho Peacemaker · January 03, 2013, 10:10:57 PM

I dont see any reason it would be dissapproved. 2500+ of these revolvers made their way to the CSA.

Big style points in my book.

St. George · January 03, 2013, 10:15:14 PM

LeMats are kinda like boats.

The two proudest moments in the owner's life are when he buys one - and when he finally sells it.

Scouts Out!

Major 2 · January 03, 2013, 10:58:43 PM

I suppose I should weigh in here before it could get expencive....

The LaMat was made in two (3 if you count the Baby LaMat ) models.
The Pietta Replica is close to the second model.
It is very nicely made revolver in 44 cal. (orginials were 42 Cal. )

It is another revolver that rests in that land ( as far a NCOWS goes ) I call "NEITHER NOR".
That is it is neither on the approved list nor the unapproved list by name....

Here are some of the facts
* of the two models a little less than 2900 were made from about 1856-1865 ( + the 32 cal. Baby about 2000, though only 12 are known existing today)
*Some 900 were ordered & delivered to the CS Army and another 600 to the Navy. ( Fladermans's )
Indeed several later rather notable Confederate generals had these, PTG Beauregard while still a US officer
in fact was involved with the manufacture... several were gifted to Confederate Generals.

Personal knowledge:
Val Forgett of Navy Arms was instrumental in Pietta replicating these about begining 1984 or so.
I personally purchased two ( Cavalry Models) these were very nicely turned out and at the intro price I paid $350 each
$100 each as a pre-intro subscription and $250 each at shipping ...

Both guns arrived and I could not have more please ... However, the Cavalry Model has a flaw I quickly learned ,the locking lever for the Barrel is a flat springed little lever and under recoil will come loose.
allowing the Barrel to revolve = PIA.
If you should concider buying one, get the Army or Navy style with a better design & positive springed pin.
I sold my two some years later....
I might add the Thumb throw is long and will be somewhat a pain in the thumb joint.

As to provenance ( did they go west ? ) ...that will be on the owner to present to the Authenticity Comm. of which I chair.
That said..." would be " to see if a recommendation to Congress, that the LaMat replica be added the NCOWS Approved List...

Major 2 · January 03, 2013, 11:02:07 PM

Ha ...

While I was typing my rather long winded reply
St. George said in a few words more elequently..

" LeMats are kinda like boats.

The two proudest moments in the owner's life are when he buys one - and when he finally sells it."

Having owned two at the same time ....I'd concur....

Mogorilla · January 04, 2013, 07:03:15 AM

I have always heard there are 2 kinds of historical shooters. Those that want to buy a LeMat and those that want to sell a LeMat. I am still in the want to buy. I will finish my masters in December of 2013 and have a short list of items that I may treat myself for completion, a LeMat is high on that list, but so is a dragoon and a patterson. so many guns, so little $$$.
One LeMat I have always wanted is the LeMat Carbine. If any made it through the Blockades from France, they were few and far between, but in my opinion it takes the features that makes the LeMat interestng and makes them really practical. Cap and Ball carbines are real comfortable to shoot since it is almost natural to hold them at the trigger, keeping the hands safe. I had read that most of the carbines were converted to pinfire. That would be an interesting set up, two LeMat pistols and one LeMat Carbine. Effectively 24 shots with three shotgun shots. I saw a few pictures of Pietta having made a LeMat Carbine, but I am guessing it is a special order thing, as I doubt the market would be high and the cost would be.

Books OToole · January 04, 2013, 09:29:37 AM

I think it would be awsome if someone would shoot the Pistoleer class with two LeMats and a Henry.

Books

Dutch Limbach · January 04, 2013, 10:29:58 AM

Quote from: Books OToole on January 04, 2013, 09:29:37 AM
I think it would be awsome if someone would shoot the Pistoleer class with two LeMats and a Henry.

Books

At GLFMC we used to have a Pistoleer, Angus Younger, who based his person on Bloody Bill Anderson. Angus bought a LeMat, and at the shoot were he unveiled it, he told some of us that he was thinking of getting a second one so he could load them with shot as well to engage the shotgun targets. Angus had a Henry, but he was pretty much attached to his Spencer at that point.

PS- As I recall Angus had some difficulties with the LeMat so he never did buy a second one.