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CASED BABY LeMAT NO. 20
$175,000.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 30-1472
Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer
To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail
Offered is one of the rarest LeMat pistols known to exist. On page 71 of the book LeMAT THE MAN, THE GUN by Valmore J. Forgett and Alain F. & Marie-Antoinette Serpette, it states that the Confederate Navy ordered 2,000 small LeMat revolvers from Girard & Cie. In June 1864, they sent Naval Lieutenant William H. Murdaugh to London to inspect all Arms for the Confederate Navy. His specific assignment was to receive these pistols from Girard & Cie. 100 of the baby LeMats were delivered to Lt. Murdaugh in 1865, too late get to the Confederacy. Since this is number 20 it may easily be one of that contract that was never delivered.
The gun itself has been beautifully decorated and engraved. The pistol is marked with the number 20 on the barrel, right side of the frame under the cylinder and the cylinder. The cylinder has a stamp "B" and the barrel has the star-over-LM. Also the barrel is marked with the last Paris marking, "Ststeme LeMat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris" in Old English script. According to Valmore J. Forgett and Alain F. & Marie-Antoinette Serpette book, this is the same marking as the ten known specimens.
The barrel is 4 inches long and the cylinder holds 9 shots. It is for a 9-mm cartridge. The single 11 mm barrel is also rifled. The frame has been silver-plated and the barrel and cylinder are blued. Almost all of the original finish is present. The walnut grips have been decorated with hundreds of very small silver tacks. Almost every surface on this pistol has been covered with a decorative broad scroll engraving.
This revolver also has the short tube on the knob in the butt. In his patent, Colonel LeMat describes the function of the short tube. It clearly explains that the tube fits over the rod, making it long enough to load the shot barrel.
The walnut case is 13 ¼ inches in length and 7 1/16 inches wide. It is 2 5/8 inches high. The joints are dovetailed and the corners are rounded. On the top is a brass shield with the letter engraved on it. The front does have a lock but the 5/8-inch square plate is missing. The inside is lined with a lime green felt and has two compartments. One holds 19 - 9mm bullets and 4 - 11mm bullets. The other holds a bullet mold and three tools.
The mold is a three-cavity brass mold. Two cavities are the 9mm and one is 11mm. The spur cutter is iron and stamped with the number 18. The mold is stamped 7. Even the screws are decoratively engraved. Two of the tools are bullet starters made from birch. The third tool, also made from birch is a screwdriver with three bits. Two of the bits are stored in the handle by unscrewing the darker wooden top. This case is in good condition and shows wear from the sights, barrel and grips where the felt has been worn off.
One would have to look hard to find another LeMat of this quality and condition. Truly an exceptional beauty among extra quality firearms.
DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!
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