LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver)

Nine-Shot Cap-and-Ball Revolver with Underslung 16-Gauge Barrel

Confederate States | 1861

"The twin-barrel, nine-shot LeMat service revolver achieved fame during the American Civil War - sporting a second barrel firing 16-gauge buckshot."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/29/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

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The "LeMat" was an American Civil War (1861-1865) revolver emerging from the resources-strapped Confederate States of America. The LeMat was a private venture development begun in 1855 intended as a heavy weapon for mounted (cavalry) officers with design attributed to Dr. Jean Alexander Francois LeMat of New Orleans, Louisiana. He secured a U.S. patent for the revolver in 1856. LeMat partnered with Dr. Charles F. Girard of the Paris-based Girard and Company manufacturing firm to develop the new pistol for the Confederacy.

The LeMat revolver consisted of a 9-shot revolving cylinder (chambered for "cap and ball" ammunition) coupled with a 16-gauge buckshot barrel held underneath the primary 7-inch barrel. This allowed the user to open combat using his conventional ammunition stock at range and close in to finish off opponents (or to equally defend himself) with the available buckshot round. The firing operation of the weapon was single-action requiring the hammer to be manually cocked prior to firing each chamber. Percussion caps were used to actuated the black powder load. The operator need only to manage a lever found on the hammer itself to a secondary position to fire the buckshot round from the bottom barrel. Either action utilized the same hammer movement, the hammer containing the pivoting striker lever. With the lever in the "down" position, the standard 9-shot cylinder barrel was fired. With the lever in the "up" position, the lower shotgun barrel was cleared. Due to the buckshot capability, the LeMat revolver earned itself the nickname of "Grape Shot Revolver" from Confederate forces.

Dr. LeMat was helped with pushing his revolver into production by U.S. Army Major P.G.T. Beauregard who would later serve the Confederacy throughout the war. As the South lacked much in the way of local manufacturing capabilities to produce indigenous firearms for the vast war effort ahead, overseas sources were tapped with production of the sidearm in quantity. Some original forms of the revolver did, in fact, originate from Philadelphia and were completed by John Krider though other LeMats arrived from workshops in London, England and Paris, France. The LeMat went on to see only limited service during the American Civil War as many arriving guns were claimed during the effective Union Blockade. Notable owners of LeMat guns included Confederate generals P.G.T. Beauregard, J.E.B. Stuart, and Braxton Bragg.

Design-wise, the LeMat proved a very large, heavy and cumbersome sidearm to wield in action. It weighed 3lbs and sported an overall length of 356mm (13.25 inches). It was particularly noted for its inaccuracy at distance for the weapon held an effective range out to just 40 yards with a muzzle velocity of 620 feet per second. Maximum range was an ambitious 100 yards. However, as with most any pistol design, it was at close range that the value of the LeMat was truly understood for its devastatingly destructive firepower. Interestingly (and to a certain extent detrimentally), LeMat owners were required to fashion their own .42 caliber bullets due to the uniqueness of the firearm - the revolver did not accept the regulation-standar .44 caliber cartridge in Confederate service. The overall finish was of a cool steel blue with walnut grips. The frame was of an open design with the hammer spur set within reach of the primary hand. The revolving cylinder was centrally set in the usual way. The upper barrel was octagonal in its shape (as with other revolvers of the period) while the lower barrel was rounded externally and of a smoothbore design internally. Reloading cap-and-ball ammunition was an inherent limitation of many percussion-based revolvers of the time and this proved no different in the LeMat. A primer compound was loaded prior to the ball ammunition and, after this, percussion caps were affixed. The lower barrel was of single-shot design, requiring a complete reload after firing. Sighting was by way of a rear notch with a front post.

Approximately 2,900 LeMat Revolvers were produced from 1856 to 1865 though later manufacturing came from Britain and Belgium - though only half of the lot were ever to reach their intended operators. A lighter version was produced towards the end of the Civil War in .36 caliber with a 28-gauge buckshot barrel. Some LeMats were also modified for "pinfire" operation to coincide with the growing popularity of the French-originated self-contained cartridge ammunition (no longer requiring separate primer and ball). A carbine version included a longer barrel and a full rifle stock for more accurized fire.

In the post-war world, the LeMat revolved continued production though interest in the design waned and the gun fell into oblivion - today it remains a sought-after collector's item (particularly the carbine form) and can fetch hefty prices.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

356 mm
14.02 in
O/A Length

3.11 lb
1.41 kg
Weight

Hammer-Action Percussion Cap; Single-Action
Action

.36 or .44 Ball / 16-Gauge Buckshot
Caliber(s)

9-Shot Revolving Cylinder; Single-Shot Smoothbore Barrel
Feed

Rear Notch; Fixed Front Post
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

120 ft
36.6 m | 40.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

9
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

620 ft/sec
189 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver) Nine-Shot Cap-and-Ball Revolver with Underslung 16-Gauge Barrel family line.

LeMat Revolver - Base Series Name.

Grape Shot Revolver - Nickname.

LeMat First Model - Initial production form; .42/.63 chambering (revolver/shotgun barrel, respectively).

LeMat Second Model - Revised model Loading lever relocated to left side; revised lanyard ring; spurless trigger guard.

Baby LeMat - Compact model based in the LeMat Second Model design for concealed-carry; 4.75" barrel length; .32/.41 chambering.

LeMat Carbine - Extremely rare carbine model with revolving cylinder, wooden stock, and lengthened barrel.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): John Krider of Philadelphia - USA / London Armoury Co. - UK; Charles Frederic Girard and Son of Paris - France

[ Confederate States ]

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Image of the LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver)

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Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

PISTOL/SIDEARM

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Going Further...
The LeMat Revolver (Grape Shot Revolver) Nine-Shot Cap-and-Ball Revolver with Underslung 16-Gauge Barrel appears in the following collections:

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ARMS

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