Welcome to at present’s Photo of the Day! This uncommon LeMat “Grape Shot” revolving carbine represents one of many rarest configurations from an already obscure firearms designer. Whereas Dr. Jean LeMat’s distinctive nine-shot revolvers with secondary shotgun barrels gained some fame with Accomplice officers through the Civil Struggle, his postwar centerfire designs are far much less identified. After the South’s defeat, LeMat returned to France in 1868, the place he continued refining his uncommon firearms whereas additionally main an American volunteer unit through the Franco-Prussian Struggle. This centerfire carbine dates from that later European interval, probably manufactured between the late 1860s and Eighties. What makes LeMat’s designs instantly recognizable is the distinctive dual-barrel association – this carbine encompasses a rifled .44 caliber higher barrel with a 20 gauge smoothbore decrease barrel beneath it. The cylinder fires by means of the higher barrel, however a pivoting striker could possibly be adjusted to fireplace a load of buckshot by means of the decrease barrel – therefore the “Grape Shot” nickname. This instance options enticing scroll engraving utilized by a interval retailer (not manufacturing unit) and has “COLONEL LEMAT PATENT” prominently displayed on high of the barrel, together with Belgian proof marks. The curly maple inventory with a checkered wrist provides visible attraction to this mechanical curiosity. Manufacturing numbers for these carbines had been extraordinarily low – in all probability only some hundred had been ever made. LeMat’s revolving lengthy weapons had been basically out of date at the same time as they had been being constructed, particularly in comparison with the repeating rifles from Winchester and others throughout the identical interval.
“Engraved LeMat Centerfire ‘Grape Shot’ Revolving Carbine.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/4094/220/engraved-lemat-centerfire-grape-shot-revolving-carbine. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Author | TheFirearmBlog
Author | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Previous soul, licensed gunsmith, revealed creator, avid firearm historical past learner, and appreciator of previous and distinctive weapons.
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