RARE CONFEDERATE LEMAT PERCUSSION CARBINE

RARE CONFEDERATE LEMAT PERCUSSION CARBINE

01-29633 | Cal. 42/50. | S# 17.

Doug Adams states in his definitive 2006 reference book “THE CONFEDERATE LEMAT REVOLVER” “Today there are eighteen known specimens of LeMat carbines, ranging in serial number from 2 to 112, establishing it also as one of the rarest and most desirable Confederate arms.” Since Mr. Adams book, only one new # has been documented and that carbine S# 79 just sold in public auction May 7, 2026. Other survivors are 2, 4, 31, 34, 39, 47, 60*, 63, 69, 73, 79, 80, 81, 101, 106, 107, 108, & 112. These very rare carbines had cartridges made at the Macon Armory as noted by ordnance reports May 1863. S# 17 like all known survivors, has a .42 caliber rifled upper barrel with ten-shot cylinder and a lower rifled .50 caliber barrel. The lower barrel could shoot shot or ball, it is shot when hinged selector on hammer is pushed down. Carbine has a loading lever attached to the left side of the barrel lug, like 1st model grapeshot revolvers made 1861-1862. A ramrod along the right side for loading the lower barrel, bead style front sight with triangular style base, a two-leaf rear sight, “* / LM” and “17” on the right side of the barrel, “System Le Mat Bte s.g.d.g. Paris” engraved in fancy script on top barrel flat, matching S#s found throughout, sling rings fitted to the lower barrel band and the stock, and flat steel buttplate. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: detailed authentication and appraisal report 2014; copy of James Julia auction listing; small file of research, master antique arms gunsmith Larry Smith receipt of repairs May 20, 2013.  PROVENANCE: James Julia Auctions, lot 1440, March 12, 2013; David Berenson estate collection. STATUS: ANTIQUE.