Late Paris Second Model LeMat revolver manufactured circa 1864. This revolver is illustrated and described on page 66 of "The Confederate LeMat Revolver" by Doug Adams. The revolver has the distinctive combination of a .42 caliber rifled, octagon barrel with nine-shot cylinder and single-shot, center-mounted, round, 16 gauge, smoothbore "grapeshot" barrel. The lower barrel could be loaded with shot or a single ball. The hammer has a pivoting striker that allows selection of either the upper 42 caliber barrel or lower "grapeshot" barrel. A pivoted loading lever is attached to the left side of the frame. The revolver has a knurled hammer, beaded cylinder edge, engraved screw heads and one-piece, finely checkered, walnut grip with iron back strap and buttcap. The buttcap has a fixed lanyard ring mount. The top of the barrel is hand-engraved with the late Paris marking "Systeme Le Mat Bte s.g.d.g Paris" in script letters with an engraved single line border with flourishes at either end. The LeMat trademark which consists of a five-pointed star above the block letters "LM" is stamped on the right side of the barrel just ahead of the serial number. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the right side of the upper barrel near the cylinder, (2) on the right side of the frame, (3) across the rear of the cylinder, (4) on the upper right side of the trigger, and (5) on the end of the button cylinder latch. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrels, cylinder and frame. The lever, hammer, trigger and small parts are color casehardened. This revolver lacks the British proofmarks found on some Paris LeMat revolvers. Fewer than 2,900 LeMat revolvers were manufactured between 1856 and 1865 in London, Liege, and Paris. The Confederate government purchased a substantial number of LeMat revolvers during the Civil War. LeMat revolvers were carried by a number of prominent Confederate officers during the Civil War. Confederate cavalryman General J.E.B. Stuart was well-known for his use of a LeMat revolver. A copy of the Doug Adams book is included with this revolver. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Very fine. This revolver is all original and retains 50% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish. The barrels, cylinder and frame have scattered scratches and age discoloration with a few spots of light pitting. Most of the wear is on the sides of the frame and grip, which typically receive the most handling. The blue on the sides of the frame has faded to a dark patina. The case colors on the hammer, loading lever and trigger have faded to a dark, gray-brown, patina. The front and rear face of the cylinder and percussion nipples show only light flash pitting. The grip is in very fine overall condition with sharp checkering and moderate handling wear. The barrel legend, proofmarks and serial numbers are crisp. The action is tight and functions well. All Civil War era LeMat revolvers are scarce and desirable firearms. It is rare to find a Civil War LeMat revolver that retains any of the original blue finish. This revolver remains in exceptional condition and is one of the finest examples of a Confederate Civil War Paris LeMat Two-Barrel revolver ever offered for sale by Rock Island Auction Company.