Welcome to right this moment’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 Conflict, his postwar centerfire designs are far much less recognized. 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 Conflict. This centerfire carbine dates from that later European interval, seemingly manufactured between the late 1860s and Eighteen Eighties. What makes LeMat’s designs instantly recognizable is the distinctive dual-barrel association – this carbine contains a rifled .44 caliber higher barrel with a 20 gauge smoothbore decrease barrel beneath it. The cylinder fires by the higher barrel, however a pivoting striker could possibly be adjusted to fireside a load of buckshot by 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 prime of the barrel, together with Belgian proof marks. The curly maple inventory with a checkered wrist provides visible enchantment 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 LeMat’s revolving lengthy weapons had been basically out of date whilst they had been being constructed, particularly in comparison with the repeating rifles from Winchester and others throughout the identical interval.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sfsgunsmith Previous soul, licensed gunsmith, printed writer, avid firearm historical past learner, and appreciator of outdated and distinctive weapons.
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