The brainchild of Doctor Francois LeMat, the LeMat revolver is one of the signature weapons of the Confederate States of America and is associated with many of the South's most famous officers and cavalrymen. A medical doctor by training and cousin to noted Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard, LeMat held a number of patents in medical, maritime, and martial fields, though the revolver was certainly his most famous design. Primarily manufactured abroad, the LeMat gave the user nine shots with a conventional revolver and one big hit with the 16 gauge shot barrel that doubled as the cylinder pin. Blade front and hammer notch rear sights, with "COL. LEMATE BTE SGDG PARIS" in an engraved banner on top of the barrel, engraved accents on the screws, and a set of scroll flourishes on the cylinder directly ahead of the nipples. A spring-equipped latch on the frame secures the barrel in place, with the swiveling striker head on the hammer and the matching number "479" on multiple components, including both barrels, the cylinder and the frame. With a pair of checkered grips and a lanyard swivel. "LM" stamp visible on left side of barrel. An included note details a chain of ownership of the LeMat from 1993 on backwards, showing it as a family heirloom of one Alfred Bradford Cook. Originally from Hamden, New York and later settling in Tillery, North Carolina, Cook enlisted as a Private with Company F of the 144th New York Volunteer Infantry. Originally mustered for the defense of Washington, D.C. in 1862, the unit was active through much of the war, participating in multiple siege actions. The exact circumstances of his acquisition of the revolver are unrecorded, but the likely scenario is that he would have had chances to pick one up in the field given 2,500 are believed to have been issued by the CSA.

Very good. The revolver shows a mixed brown patina overall, with a few areas of pitting, edge wear and handling marks. The grips are very good, with mild dings and shrinkage. The loading lever is a professionally made replacement. Mechanically very good.