Guns International #: 102343773
Seller's Inventory #: AH8415

Category - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge - Handguns - European Revolvers

Category
Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
Handguns - European Revolvers

"European Lemat Cartridge Revolver (AH8415)

Description:
"NSN. Made circa 1870s. 11 mm Chamelot- Devisme caliber and 20 Gauge Shotgun  with a 4 ¾" barrel. Metal has been cleaned and has a light gray patina. Grips are very good. Action works well. The only visible marking are the initials FW stamped on the right side of the frame below the recoil shield. Revolver retains the pivoting hammer piece that allows the central shotgun barrel to be fired by contacting the floating firing pin in the shotgun loading gate. Sights consist of a notch in the top of the recoil shield and a blade on top of the barrel near the muzzle. A cartridge ejector mechanism is attached to the right side of the barrel and a swiveling lanyard ring is attached to the bottom of the frame, forward of the triggerguard. The combination tool stored in the butt of the gun is still in place, and combines a fixed mainspring vise, small punch and small screwdriver blade.

This revolver appears to be a ""Brevete"" LeMat and possibly a patent infringement gun as some small differences from the standard 1869 LeMat design are present. Mostly notable is the eight rather than nine chamber cylinder, as well as minor differences in the machining and locking operation of small parts involved in the loading gates and the use of a checkered paddle rather than a knurled knob to remove the barrel to frame screw that prevents the barrel from rotating on the shotgun bore's axis. The styling and ""FW"" initials. along with the lack of other proofs suggest Austrian origin, possibly produced by Ferdinand Fruhwirth (II) who worked in Vienna circa 1842-1892. A nice example of a scarce, post-Civil War cartridge variant of the famous LeMat revolver. This interesting revolver was previously part of the famous Cliff Young Collection.

SOLD

Antique: Yes