Long before the Taurus Judge hit the market, there was a revolver that served double duty. Capable of shooting pistol-style rounds as well as 16 to 20-gauge shotgun rounds. That pistol was the LeMat revolver, and to many, it has been lost in time.
LeMat Revolver – Firing Pistol and Shotgun Rounds
The LeMat revolver was invented by Jean Alexandre LeMat of France. It was further developed in New Orleans in 1856 by Le Mat, whose manufacturing effort was backed by P. G. T. Beauregard, who became a general in the Confederate States Army. It was originally a pistol caliber cap-and-ball black powder, but featured an unusual secondary 16-to-20-gauge smoothbore barrel capable of firing buckshot. This unique gun was also known as the “Grape Shot Revolver.” It saw service with the armed forces of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.
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Some were made by John Krider of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1859, including the first 250 prototypes. It is estimated that 2,900 were produced in Liège, Belgium, and Paris, France. The European-made pistols were shipped through Birmingham, England. For the collectors out there, they were indeed stamped.
Used By the Confederates
Approximately 900 revolvers were shipped to the Confederate States Army and 600 to the Confederate States Navy through Bermuda to avoid the Southern Naval Blockade.
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The distinguishing aspect of LeMat’s revolver is that its 9-shot cylinder revolves around a separate central barrel of larger caliber than the chambers in the cylinder proper. The central barrel is smoothbore and can function as a short-barreled shotgun, with the shooter selecting whether to fire from the cylinder or the smoothbore barrel by flipping a lever on the end of the hammer. Flipping the lever up caused the movable striker to fall upon the primer set directly under the hammer, discharging the lower barrel, while leaving it in the standard position would fire the chambers in the cylinder.
Originally in .42 Caliber
The 1st Model LeMats manufactured in Paris were originally chambered for .42 caliber balls or bullets in the cylinder, had a .63 caliber (18 gauge) smoothbore barrel, and a jointed ramrod, which was used to load both barrels. Later, during the American Civil War, a lighter .35-caliber pistol with a .55-caliber (28-gauge) smooth bore barrel was produced. Still, because these were non-standard ammunition sizes, LeMat owners had to cast their own bullets. The final models of the LeMat were produced in .36 or .44 caliber in response to these criticisms, but too few of them managed to get past the Union blockade of the South during the Civil War to be of any actual use.
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LeMat Revolver
While most of these guns are rare and considered collector’s items, there is a company still offering you a chance to own this classic. Taylor’s and Company has a LeMat Cavalry 6.75″ chambered in .44. It is a beautiful gun and a great way to own a piece of history without breaking the bank.
For more information, visit Taylor’s and Company.
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