Pietta LeMat Navy Model In .44 Cal. / 20Ga Percussion Revolver, MFD 2002
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
WOA#: WY240519WF004
Make: Pietta, Italy
Model: Col. LeMat Navy
Serial#:
Year of Manufacture: 2002 (BS Date code)
Caliber: .44 Cal. / 20 Gauge
Action Type: Single-Action Revolver with 9-Round Cylinder, Single Shotgun Barrel, and Ramrod.
Markings: The shotgun barrel is marked, “47 / F.ILLI PIETTA – CAL. 20” The cylinder is marked, “32 913” with scrollwork. The pistol barrel is marked, “COL. LEMAT / F.LLI PIETTA-MADE IN ITALY”
Barrel Length: 6 3/4”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a conical blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip panels are two-piece checkered walnut. There is minor handling wear present. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip panels are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright with sharp rifling in the upper barrel. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. The shotgun barrel has wear marks from disassembly. There are small scratches throughout. The screwheads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, the revolver is in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. There is some light play in the cylinder lockup.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Pietta LeMat Navy revolver is a finely crafted reproduction of one of the most distinctive and innovative firearms of the American Civil War era. Originally designed by Dr. Jean Alexandre François LeMat, a French-American gunsmith, the LeMat revolver is notable for its unique dual-barrel design, which features a nine-shot .36 caliber cylinder and a central smoothbore barrel capable of firing a single buckshot or grapeshot charge. This combination of a revolver and a shotgun in one firearm made the LeMat a formidable weapon during its time. The Pietta LeMat Navy revolver replicates the original design with a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, making it a prized piece for collectors, reenactors, and enthusiasts of historical firearms. Pietta, an Italian company renowned for its high-quality historical replicas, ensures that the LeMat Navy revolver is both aesthetically accurate and mechanically reliable. The primary feature that sets the LeMat revolver apart from other firearms of the era is its dual-barrel system. The upper barrel is rifled and chambers nine .44 caliber rounds, which are loaded into a rotating cylinder. Beneath this cylinder is a second, smoothbore barrel, often referred to as the “grape shot” barrel, which is capable of firing a single, larger buckshot or grapeshot round. This design provided the user with the versatility of having both a revolver and a shotgun in one weapon, a significant tactical advantage during close-quarters combat. The Pietta LeMat Navy revolver maintains this dual-barrel configuration, with the lower barrel activated by flipping a lever on the hammer. This lever, when engaged, directs the hammer to strike a percussion cap on the central barrel’s nipple, firing the shotgun round. The mechanism for switching between the revolver and shotgun functions is smooth and reliable, preserving the practical utility of the original design.
Overall, the Pietta LeMat Navy revolver is a high-quality reproduction of one of the most unique and innovative firearms of the American Civil War era. Its dual-barrel design, combining a nine-shot revolver with a single-shot shotgun, provides a distinctive shooting experience and a significant historical connection. The revolver’s robust construction, attention to historical detail, and reliable performance make it a valued piece for collectors and enthusiasts of historical firearms. Whether used for reenactments, historical displays, or black powder shooting, the Pietta LeMat Navy revolver stands out as a remarkable example of 19th-century firearms ingenuity. -R.E.
