Lot 138

Civil War Era Second Model Paris LeMat "Grapeshot" Revolver

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Civil War Era Second Model Paris LeMat "Grapeshot" Revolver

Estimate: $14,000 - $22,500

Starting Bid: $12,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Civil War Era Second Model Paris LeMat Two-Barrel "Grapeshot" Percussion Revolver Identified to John F. Miller with Family Provenance Manufactured in Paris, France c. 1864-1865. Production 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". An included typewritten letter provided by the consignor mentions this revolver by serial number and states, "This gun belonged to my great, great grandfather, John Franklin Miller (1838-1923). At the age of 26, he was living in Racine, Wisconsin when he enlisted as a private in the Union Army. This was in November, 1863 and he was assigned to the Wisconsin, 4th Cavalry. During his enlistment, he was stationed in New Orleans area, where his unit was charged with patrolling the border with Mexico. I believe that he was discharged as a sergeant in 1865 or 1866. After discharge, he moved back to Racine and then to McHenry County, Ill. Apparently in 1873, he worked as a pier builder. Then moved to CA in 1874. I'm pretty sure of those dates because he had the habit of carving the date of acquisition onto about everything. His Remington Model 1861 .44 has the inscribed date of January 1864, which is logical if he enlisted in November 1863. I have no idea how or why he came to own this Confederate weapon, but it was probably while in Illinois, since he didn't leave until 1874. John Miller lived in San Francisco until 1923, which is where he died. After John's death, the gun passed to various family members until I got it, a few years ago. The gun has been in our family for 152 years." A period carved date "1873" is located at the top of the left grip, and an upside down "M" is at the top of the right grip. This Second Model has a full 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 spur, loading lever on the left side, round trigger guard, and a fixed lanyard ring on the butt. 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 marked "Systeme Le Mat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris" on top, and the right side is marked with the serial number "1939" followed by the "*/LM" LeMat logo. The matching serial number "1939" is also marked on the right side of the frame below the cylinder, on the cylinder, trigger, loading lever, breech end of the smoothbore barrel, and in black ink on the concealed butts of both grips.

Manufacturer: Le Mat

Model: Percussion

BBL: 6 3/4 inch octagon and 6 3/4 inch round

Gauge: .42

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: walnut

Serial Number1939

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Family of John F. Miller
  • Condition: Very good plus overall with a very fresh untouched appearance, retains, 30% original blue finish, with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, some light pitting, the pivoting spur is broke off of the hammer barrel selector lever, distinct markings, crisp checkering in the grips with well-defined edges and flush wood to metal fit. Mechanically excellent. A fine identified Civil War era Second Model Paris LeMat "grapeshot" revolver with provenance!

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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