LeMat Revolver

[Relic shooter]

I have just now discovered this thread and would like to establish contact with other Lemat owners.

My gun (Serial #1937) is an original 2nd Model manufactured in Paris in early 1864. Documentation exists showing delivery (by blockade runner) to the Port of Wilmington, NC May-July 1864 and subsequent issue to 6th Texas Cavalry.

Apologies for no pics but I am only semi computer literate and don't have the first clue how to post pictures...

Ted thats one very rare revolver that most don't have the luck to own !!

Would be nice if replica manufacturers acquired one to correct action issues in repro LeMats.
I'm almost as old as your revolver but maybe the following tips will help us see photos of your Lemat !

Tip; in your photos album first make sure all the photos you want to post are already edited &
cropped the way you want them.

-After adding the written content, move your cursor below the written content.
-Select 'attach files', this open access to your photos & allow you to select & open the photos you want to post.
-When done posting photos select 'Post Reply'.
We're looking forward to seeing your LeMat !!

Relic shooter

 

[Jappo]

Did anyone ever get the timing issue resolved on the Pietta LeMat?

 

[Nikyolas]

I recently bought one at auction here in England. It has the spur trigger guard and the pop down barrel locking lever (replacement) It is marked COL. LE MAT on the top barrel flat in a fancy frame. Calibre is .42 but the serial seems very high at 10877 on the right under side of the frame by the trigger. Any one got any suggestions?

 

[kh54]

Any one got any suggestions?

I sure do! (1) Post pictures. (2) If it’s an original, trade straight across for my Pietta. I’ll even pay shipping.

 

[M. De Land]

Does anyone here own and shoot a LeMat? How do you like it? I'm not a BP pistol shooter, flintlock hunting and shooting have always been my passion but I always thought that I wanted a BP revolver. Recently I saw the movie Quigley down under and there was a LeMat so I had to find out what it was and did a little reading about it. A 9 shot .42 revolver around a 18 ga barrel? That got my attention, then watching Mike Beliveau aka "Duelist1954" on youtube "Firing the LeMat revolver". His was a reproduction .44/20ga and that just put me over the edge so now I think that I need one. I just wanted some input before I spend the $700+ on one so give me the good, bad and ugly. Thank you.

Mike Beleveau didn't seem very impressed with the one he had. The loading lever is pretty weak and his busted off while loading it.
His favorite model is the Colt 60 and he could care less if the arbor is end fit or not.
I'd like to try a LeMat actually, being intrigued with the nine shot capacity and shot barrel.

 

[FishDFly]

Make sure you can get parts for what you buy, nothing worse than a pistol and no parts are to be had.

You can always buy a revolver loading stand from Powder Inc. and not use the one on the pistol!

 

[justinoldguy]

Does anyone here own and shoot a LeMat? How do you like it? I'm not a BP pistol shooter, flintlock hunting and shooting have always been my passion but I always thought that I wanted a BP revolver. Recently I saw the movie Quigley down under and there was a LeMat so I had to find out what it was and did a little reading about it. A 9 shot .42 revolver around a 18 ga barrel? That got my attention, then watching Mike Beliveau aka "Duelist1954" on youtube "Firing the LeMat revolver". His was a reproduction .44/20ga and that just put me over the edge so now I think that I need one. I just wanted some input before I spend the $700+ on one so give me the good, bad and ugly. Thank you.

I have a repro Lemat laying in a drawer somewhere, have not seen it it over twenty years. I love shooting cap and ball revolvers, so that should tell you what I think of the Lemat. Sounds cool until you get one, much like the 1866 Remington Revolving Carbine.

 

[kh54]

I really like the looks and history of the LeMat so I’m glad I at least have a reproduction. However…I loaded and fired mine on one trip to the range maybe 18 months ago. It was fun - while it lasted. Mine doesn’t have the timing problem others have mentioned but it does have other issues. Ergonomically it just isn’t as well designed as a full size Colt or Remington. (Pocket models are another matter.) It’s too heavy and the grip is at a funky angle, very uncomfortable to shoot. I had a chain fire that took off the loading lever catch and that ended my shooting for the day. I have since found a perfect use for it:

 

[M. De Land]

I really like the looks and history of the LeMat so I’m glad I at least have a reproduction. However…I loaded and fired mine on one trip to the range maybe 18 months ago. It was fun - while it lasted. Mine doesn’t have the timing problem others have mentioned but it does have other issues. Ergonomically it just isn’t as well designed as a full size Colt or Remington. (Pocket models are another matter.) It’s too heavy and the grip is at a funky angle, very uncomfortable to shoot. I had a chain fire that took off the loading lever catch and that ended my shooting for the day. I have since found a perfect use for it:

View attachment 375036

Did you try the shot barrel ?