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The LeMat revolver was a .42 or .36
caliber
cap & ball
black powder
revolver invented by
Jean Alexandre LeMat of
New Orleans, which featured an unusual secondary 20
gauge smooth-bore barrel capable of firing
buckshot. It saw service with the
armed forces of the Confederate States of America during the
American Civil War of 1861–65 and the Army of the
Government of National Defense during the
Franco-Prussian War.
This unique sidearm was also known as the "Grape Shot Revolver." It
was developed in New Orleans in 1856 by Jean Alexandre Le Mat, whose
manufacturing effort was backed by
P. G. T. Beauregard, who became a general in the
Confederate States Army. Fewer than 100 were made by John Krider of
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in 1859, including the first 25 prototypes. It is
estimated that 2,900 were produced in
Liège,
Belgium and
Paris, France. The European-made pistols were shipped through
Birmingham, England, where they were proofmarked.[1]
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.[1][2]
From Wikipedia
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