LeMat Revolver
| LeMat Revolver | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Grapeshot Revolver/Service pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1861–1865 |
| Used by | Confederate States |
| Wars | American Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Jean Alexandre LeMat |
| Designed | 1855; US Patent 1856 |
| Manufacturer | John Krider of Philadelphia Charles Frederic Girard and Son of Paris London Armoury Company |
| Produced | 1856–65 |
| No. built | approx 2,900 |
| Variants | Revolver Carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.1 lb (1.41 kg), unloaded |
| Length | 13.25 in (356 mm) |
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| Cartridge | .42 Ball (.44 repro) or .36 ball 20ga Shot |
| Caliber | .42/.44 (repro)/.36 20ga Shot |
| Barrels | 2 |
| Action | Single Action Revolver Single Barrel Shotgun |
| Rate of fire | 9 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 620 ft/s (190 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 40 yd |
| Maximum firing range | 100 yd |
| Feed system | 9-round cylinder; single-shot smooth-bore secondary barrel |
| Sights | fixed front post and rear notch |
The LeMat revolver was a .42 or .36 caliber cap & ball black powder revolver invented by Jean Alexandre LeMat of New Orleans, which featured an unusual secondary 20 gauge smooth-bore barrel capable of firing buckshot. It saw service with the armed forces of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War of 1861–65 and the Army of the Government of National Defense during the Franco-Prussian War.
This unique sidearm was also known as the "Grape Shot Revolver." It was developed in New Orleans in 1856 by Jean Alexander Le Mat, whose manufacturing effort was backed by P. G. T. Beauregard, who became a general in the Confederate States Army. Fewer than 100 were made by John Krider of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1859, including the first 25 prototypes. It is estimated that 2,900 were produced in Liége, Belgium and Paris, France. The European made pistols were shipped through Birmingham, England, where they were proofmarked.
Approximately 900 revolvers were shipped to the Confederate States Army and 600 to the Confederate States Navy through Bermuda to avoid the Southern Naval Blockade.
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Wikipedia