Lot 5069

RARE CONFEDERATE LEMAT PERCUSSION CARBINE.

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RARE CONFEDERATE LEMAT PERCUSSION CARBINE.

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Starting Bid: $15,000

(0 Bids)

by Poulin Antiques & Auctions
August 9, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
199 Skowhegan Road
Fairfield, ME, US 04937

Cal. 42/50. S# 17. Doug Adams states in his definitive 2006 reference book "THE CONFEDERATE LEMAT REVOLVER" "Today there are eighteen known specimens of LeMat carbines, ranging in serial number from 2 to 112, establishing it also as one of the rarest and most desirable Confederate arms." Since Mr. Adams book, only one new # has been documented and that carbine S# 79 just sold in public auction May 7, 2026. Other survivors are 2, 4, 31, 34, 39, 47, 60*, 63, 69, 73, 79, 80, 81, 101, 106, 107, 108, & 112. These very rare carbines had cartridges made at the Macon Armory as noted by ordnance reports May 1863. S# 17 like all known survivors, has a .42 caliber rifled upper barrel with ten-shot cylinder and a lower rifled .50 caliber barrel. The lower barrel could shoot shot or ball, it is shot when hinged selector on hammer is pushed down. Carbine has a loading lever attached to the left side of the barrel lug, like 1st model grapeshot revolvers made 1861-1862. A ramrod along the right side for loading the lower barrel, bead style front sight with triangular style base, a two-leaf rear sight, "* / LM" and "17" on the right side of the barrel, "System Le Mat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris" engraved in fancy script on top barrel flat, matching S#s found throughout, sling rings fitted to the lower barrel band and the stock, and flat steel buttplate. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: detailed authentication and appraisal report 2014; copy of James Julia auction listing; small file of research, master antique arms gunsmith Larry Smith receipt of repairs May 20, 2013. CONDITION: very good overall, appearing to be all original and authentic. Metal overall is brown with traces of original blue finish turned plum. Stock is sound and solid with most of old varnish finish. Gun functions well including selector. Rifle bore shows crisp rifling with scattered pitting. Secondary barrel shows thin rifling. When sold by Julia, hammer screw spanner nut was broken, now professionally repaired by Larry Smith as noted in his detailed receipt. PROVENANCE: James Julia Auctions, lot 1440, March 12, 2013; David Berenson estate collection. (01-29633/JS). ANTIQUE. $30,000-50,000

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6/17/26

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $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 + $5,000