Need help finding production date of this LeMat that came to my possession

[Dmalikhammer4]

It is a "Calvary" model, with the spur on the trigger guard and the drop-down lever. There is no engraving on the cylinder, but says "Navy Arms Ridgefield NJ" on one side of the barrel, and "black powder" along with "LL 44" or "CL 44" on the other. I'm not sure what exactly it says. I tried to get a clear picture but the lighting was tough. I can try to get a better picture if requested. There's what I presume is a serial number and it's "157." I know what you guys are thinking, "where are the brand marks underneath the frame?" Believe it or not, there are no more identifiable markings. I don't know if the original owner had the gun re-finished to remove those markings, but all the identifiable markings are attached in these photos. I'm stumped trying to identify the production date or even the period.

 

[ligonierbill]

Navy Arms was founded in 1957 by Val Forgett, generally recognized as the father of the replica firearms industry. I had one of his rolling block rifles that had a 3 digit serial number, so you are probably correct on yours. He worked with various Italian manufacturers. My rifle was Pedersoli. I have read that Uberti did his early handguns, and I would SWAG the date as 1970s. Forgett usually tried to duplicate original marking. I have a Pietta LeMat that I will dig out today and check its marking.

PS: No help from my Pietta markings. Note that Navy Arms still exists in Martinsburg, WV, run by Val Forgett, Jr. Try contacting them.

 

[desi23]

If my memory is right these only became available in the late 80;s or early 90's? I can't recall seeing any reproduction LeMats before then and I was a pretty active muzzle loader shooter in the 1970's and 80's (before wandering off into the milsurp world for a long while). I know when my interest in muzzle loaders revived (@10/15 years ago) these were available then. I looked at several but never did get around to buying one............ Kinda wish I had.

 

[TFoley]

CL is date code for 2013. 44 is the calibre. All the other compulsory CIP proof marks are either gone or somewhere you haven't shown us. Interestingly, date codes for export firearms are stamped in a rectangular cartouche - home market products are not, like yours. However, de-farbing to remove the 'box' is likely, since it is a dead give-away for a reproduction, whereas a couple of letters or numbers might mean anything.

The LeMat replica is comparatively recent to the market by comparison with the Colts models. The Pietta company of Brescia, Italy has manufactured modern reproductions of the LeMat revolver since 1985. United States distributors include Navy Arms Company, Dixie Gunworks and Cabela's.

 

[Phil Coffins]

If it was de-farbed the black powder only would surely be gone.

 

[Dmalikhammer4]

CL is date code for 2013. 44 is the calibre. All the other compulsory CIP proof marks are either gone or somewhere you haven't shown us. Interestingly, date codes for export firearms are stamped in a rectangular cartouche - home market products are not, like yours. However, de-farbing to remove the 'box' is likely, since it is a dead give-away for a reproduction, whereas a couple of letters or numbers might mean anything.

The LeMat replica is comparatively recent to the market by comparison with the Colts models. The Pietta company of Brescia, Italy has manufactured modern reproductions of the LeMat revolver since 1985. United States distributors include Navy Arms Company, Dixie Gunworks and Cabela's.

Yes, when I was doing my research I also came across the date codes, but they were all in the rectangular cartouche you said, not up in the barrel. I also wondered if the owner tried to de-farb it, but why stop there? Why not remove the black powder only and the navy arms co? Maybe he got lazy haha. But I'm going to try contacting Navy Arms. Thanks to everyone in the thread!

 

[TFoley]

As I noted above - letters in a cartouche = export model. Letters without a cartouche = home market model. This is common knowledge in CIP-compliant countries, which the US of A is not.

 

[Dmalikhammer4]

Verdict! Got a call back from Navy Arms, looks like it was manufactured in 1986.

 

[TFoley]

Verdict! Got a call back from Navy Arms, looks like it was manufactured in 1986.

In that case the CL stands for something else. My data are current.

 

[Dmalikhammer4]

In that case the CL stands for something else. My data are current.

View attachment 287587

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1032/1151/navy-arms-lemat-percussion-revolver-with-box
Here is a picture of another of the same model, it also has CL. So indeed it must mean something else. Further iterations of the Navy Arms lemat no longer have the serial number. Mine might be one of the first lemat repros sold since it was in produced in 86!

 

[Dmalikhammer4]

I kind of envy the newer Piettas though. The engraving on the cylinder is nice, and the hammer draw looks way lighter. My hammer is absurdly heavy. Might have to break open the frame and see if I can help it.

 

[Dmalikhammer4]

As I noted above - letters in a cartouche = export model. Letters without a cartouche = home market model. This is common knowledge in CIP-compliant countries, which the US of A is not.

Mine should still be a Pietta though, right? Even without the markings. Navy Arms have always imported to my knowledge.