LeMat?
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Texas Star
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Gen. J.E.B. Stuart had one, probably the most famous user.
I think it was designed by a Confederate general named P.G.T. Beauregard (sp?) Going by memory and haven't thought about those in eons.
I think some TV western hero wore one back in the 1960's.
I don't know if Gen. Stuart had other revolvers. I'm guessing so. Gen. Lee had a pair of really nice engraved Colt Navy .36's.
I think it was designed by a Confederate general named P.G.T. Beauregard (sp?) Going by memory and haven't thought about those in eons.
I think some TV western hero wore one back in the 1960's.
I don't know if Gen. Stuart had other revolvers. I'm guessing so. Gen. Lee had a pair of really nice engraved Colt Navy .36's.
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I have one of the Navy Arms reproductions. I bought it used and the sear is so soft it wont stay cocked.
The Originals are 40 caliber the repos are 44. I am pretty sure my smooth barrel is 16 gauge not 20! While it is heavy compared to fantastic plastic, I shoot repo Colt walkers and the weight doesn't seem unruly, the grip angle is unusual and if I ever get Navy to fix it I will nave fun (I've talked to them twice and they say they are willing but don't sound very convincing!)
The loading data that comes with it is 25 grains of FFg with a .44 round ball and 28 grains with a .66 or .67 round ball, I'm looking forward to a buck shot load! I'm thinking 10 #4 buck with about 30 grains of FFFg, even though slow, what a point plank surprise!
Ivan
The Originals are 40 caliber the repos are 44. I am pretty sure my smooth barrel is 16 gauge not 20! While it is heavy compared to fantastic plastic, I shoot repo Colt walkers and the weight doesn't seem unruly, the grip angle is unusual and if I ever get Navy to fix it I will nave fun (I've talked to them twice and they say they are willing but don't sound very convincing!)
The loading data that comes with it is 25 grains of FFg with a .44 round ball and 28 grains with a .66 or .67 round ball, I'm looking forward to a buck shot load! I'm thinking 10 #4 buck with about 30 grains of FFFg, even though slow, what a point plank surprise!
Ivan
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Texas Star
US Veteran
Ivan, these guns are supposed to be repros of those made in the 1860's. I doubt that Navy Arms will change the grip angle.
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That's what I was afeared of. The LeMat repros are not cheap. I know the Italians don't use the best steel, a shame to hear of soft parts in such an expensive gun. I think I'll pass if that's the case.
DWalt
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Most guns of the Civil War era used soft steel, just being authentic to the period.
A. Uberti makes very high quality replica arms. If I wanted to own a Le Mat, an Uberti, preferably one from Cimarron Arms, would be my pick.
Texas Star--I would take issue with you, albeit slight, and I have to reach into fiction. But Charles Frazier's character of the National Book Award winning Cold Mountain--WP Inman--carried a LeMat. Jude Law, playing Inman, also was shown briefly with one in the excellent movie based on the book.
As Inman said in the book, "In the hand, despite its size, the LeMat’s felt balanced and solid and as of-a-piece as an ingot, and there was a certain amount of serenity associated with simply holding the stout pistol and thinking what it could do in your service."
I bet many of us have felt the same about our beautiful Smith's.
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A. Uberti doesn't make LeMats. Only Pietta.
Bakebfr480
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The originals were in 42 caliber and 20 gauge. A real hoot to shoot!
Very cool. They do look neat if anything!
I always wanted one of those as a youngster. Ran across them a lot in the western I used (still do ) read. Ought to be fun at the range!
The grip angle isn't changed, just different from my S&W's, even my N0. 3 Russian repos. The feel in the hand is like the dueling pistols of the late 1700's! In like new condition there is no rattling! Although with recoil and wear the loading rams may make some noise in the future!
With the big industry shows out of the way, I should try to see if I can get somewhere with Navy Arms again. At the NRA show everybody's nerve are a bit worn!
As to caliber and gauge; I believe the revolvers in CSA service, were probably as close as manufacturing allowed at the time. However LaMats were made in many percussion sizes, and a few rimfire and maybe pinfire cartridges. (I believe the is a 22 RF in the 30 shot range with 2 or 3 levels of chambers.)
I dug mine out of the safe. A few things I noticed. 1) on 3-1-95 I paid $425 OTD, Used. 2)I just checked, it will not stay at full cock, the hammer either falls to half cock or clear to the nipples. The loading instructions call for .451 and 63 Cal. round balls.3) My 1991 Gun Digest black powder manual recommends 25gr for both. (nobody can find 63 cal balls! so GD used .595 and couldn't understand why accuracy was poor) 4) the fit, finish, and blue are absolutely breath taking!
Ivan
With the big industry shows out of the way, I should try to see if I can get somewhere with Navy Arms again. At the NRA show everybody's nerve are a bit worn!
As to caliber and gauge; I believe the revolvers in CSA service, were probably as close as manufacturing allowed at the time. However LaMats were made in many percussion sizes, and a few rimfire and maybe pinfire cartridges. (I believe the is a 22 RF in the 30 shot range with 2 or 3 levels of chambers.)
I dug mine out of the safe. A few things I noticed. 1) on 3-1-95 I paid $425 OTD, Used. 2)I just checked, it will not stay at full cock, the hammer either falls to half cock or clear to the nipples. The loading instructions call for .451 and 63 Cal. round balls.3) My 1991 Gun Digest black powder manual recommends 25gr for both. (nobody can find 63 cal balls! so GD used .595 and couldn't understand why accuracy was poor) 4) the fit, finish, and blue are absolutely breath taking!
Ivan
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Well, that explains the soft metal issue in the Navy Arms version mentioned earlier.
I have a Pietta Colt 1860 Army and 1858 Remington. Both revolvers have needed numerous repairs in VERY limited shooting. The trigger broke in the Colt on my first range outing and Dixie Gun Works repaired it. Later one of the two barrel locating pins snapped.
These parts have broken in the Remington; the cylinder hand, trigger spring, and the loading lever latch.
Luckily, I didn't pay anywhere near the current prices for the two boat anchors.
Very concerning. The last thing I'd want to do is buy a pricey Lemat, only to not be able to shoot it from badly worn or broken parts in a short time period. "Not so good", as the saying goes.
Back in the day I think I could have safely noted that a great many SASS members/cowboy action shooters were aware of the LeMat. We discussed them in great detail in the SASS Forum and here and there in the SASS "Cowboy Chronicle", the national news magazine of the organization.
I do think that J.E.B Stuart is somewhat more well known than any of the characters in the novel "Cold Mountain".
I do think that J.E.B Stuart is somewhat more well known than any of the characters in the novel "Cold Mountain".
Kiefer Sutherland just used one in a movie called "Forsaken". It was an OK western.
The Swedish champion used one in The Quick and the Dead. Didn't help.
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