Lot 3197

Civil War Era Transitional Paris LeMat "Grapeshot" Revolver

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Civil War Era Transitional Paris LeMat "Grapeshot" Revolver

Estimate: $14,000 - $22,500

Starting Bid: $12,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Desirable Early Production Civil War Era Transitional Model Paris LeMat Two-Barrel "Grapeshot" Percussion Revolver Manufactured in Paris, France, c. 1864-1865. LeMat revolvers in their various forms were manufactured in Liege, Paris, and Birmingham between 1856-1865 with total production estimated at fewer than 2,900 revolvers per page 643 of "Flayderman's Guide, 9th Edition". This LeMat revolver, serial number 421, is a transitional model with a part octagon .42 caliber upper revolver barrel and percussion nine-shot cylinder, a second centrally mounted smoothbore .65 caliber/16 gauge "buckshot" barrel, pivoting hammer nose with central change lever on the hammer, the swivel lanyard ring on the butt and spur trigger guard that are characteristic of the First Model, and loading lever on the left side as typically found on Second Model LeMat revolvers. The LeMat revolver was developed by Dr. Jean LeMat of New Orleans, Louisiana, and patented in 1856. Approximately 1,500 LeMat revolvers are thought to have been purchased by the Confederate government during the Civil War, and many senior Confederate officers are known to have carried them. However, the LeMat revolver is most closely associated with the famed Confederate cavalryman General J.E.B. Stuart who carried a LeMat revolver when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, Virginia, in 1864. The LeMat two-barrel "Grapeshot" revolver is the most distinctive of all the Confederate associated firearms. These revolvers represented a significant firepower boost over other percussion revolvers of the era, integrating a multi-shot revolver and a "grapeshot" shotgun barrel. The revolver barrel is hand inscribed "COL LEMAT Bte SGDG PARIS" on top, and the right side is marked with the serial number "421" followed by the partially remaining "*/LM" LeMat logo. The matching serial number "421" is also marked on the right side of the frame below the cylinder, on the cylinder, barrel catch, bottom muzzle end of the revolver barrel, on the breech end of the smoothbore barrel, and butts of both grips.

Manufacturer: Le Mat

Model: Percussion

BBL: 7 inch part octagon and 7 inch round

Gauge: .42

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number421

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection
  • Condition: Very good, with smooth gray patina, spotting, some patches of mild pitting, a few cracks in the cylinder, and mostly clear markings. The refinished grips are good with general wear. Mechanically functions. A desirable example of a Civil War era transitional model Paris LeMat "grapeshot" revolver.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000