LeMat percussion revolver .44 & 20ga

[@1957Shep]

The originals were .42 & 16ga instead of .44 & 20ga. More friendly to modern users. If they had made the reproductions in .42 caliber, you would end up having to cast your own round balls.

[@Tttristeamor]

Preciosa arma,una maravillosa obra de arte ;) Ya no se hacen armas asi ..gracias he disfrutado Un abrazo amigo

[@sabretooth75]

I certainly wouldn't mind getting some of those Civil War era reproductions, just for the historical value. That is a nice firearm!

[@MyHollowpoint]

One of the most unusual pistols I've seen to date. Very nice.

[@1957Shep]

One of these days I need to do a shooting video with this gun.

[@1957Shep]

It`s both. That`s one of the things I like about older guns. They are as much works of art as they are fine firearms.

[@jshannon5771]

Never seen a beast like that. Thanks for sharing

[@1957Shep]

Picked it up from a local dealer back in 98. He was selling some guns from an estate. It had been in a display case and had never been fired as far as I could tell. The few times I`ve fired it I`ve been careful to get it as perfectly clean as I could to keep it looking new.

[@VitaminCBable]

How much was it? I want to buy one, but I don't want to break the bank.

[@1957Shep]

@@VitaminCBable Think I gave around $400 for it very lightly used. But that was almost 25 years ago. Just looked on Dixie Gun Works, and they are selling them new for $1,395 today.

[@Serrgio45acp]

It would be great to shoot a classic gun like that..Cant beat a 9shot 44, and that shot gun barrel is just icing on the cake!

[@TheShermandale]

Pretty neat gun. You, sir, are a living gun museum. lol. Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.

[@sorichar]

What a neat gun! I've always been fascinated by the LeMat revolver. Just imagine the kind of firepower those would have brought to the battle in the civil war.

[@RelishForRenaissance]

your darn right it is, and boyyyy do I wish it wasn't! Great close up video!

[@1957Shep]

If you are interested in starting into black powder revolvers, you might want to look at an 1858 Remington reproduction to start out. They are not expensive. Easy to load and easy to take down to clean.

[@thekillernextdoor69]

This is by far my favorite pistol and has been ever sense I heard of it

[@1957Shep]

Even the reproductions like this one are not very common due to the high price compared to most other cap&ball revolvers. But some of the civil war re-enactors use them.

[@1957Shep]

Originals were .42 cal and 16ga. That is stated in both the video and in the discription.

[@DocFlamingo]

Why won't someone make a modern, center-fire version of this? I would pay an obscene amount of money for that.

[@Tracer_Krieg]

Read on the wiki they did.

[@davecarsley8773]

DocFlamingo I think you'd be the very, *very rare* exception. That's the thing about reproduction/replica firearms (especially side-arms) from "days of old": People want them specifically *_because_* they're not centerfired. That's the fun of it- seeing what the men in battle had to deal with; imagining how difficult they were to operate and reload in a trench with shaking fingers and whizzing bullets overhead; how they performed (or, didn't). Thinking as a manufacturer would: A centerfire version is good for what? Will sell to whom? It would simply be an impracticabaly heavy and large revolver with a weird, useless rod hanging off the side. No collector would dare touch it; certainly it would be no good to carry for protection; not really good for target practice when there's 5000 other, lighter, smarter, more accurately designed modern centerfire revolvers out there (not to mention the average guy who fired a 20 ga *handheld* shutgun would probably not wish to do it again); and even most people like me - not a collector by any means but likes guns and may spend a $1000 tax-return on a replica to show off to friends and have fun at the range with - wouldn't want it simply for the fact that it _"means"_ nothing- it's not an antique; it's not a replica; it's not a modern gun. For example: you're showing it off to someone whose imagination inevitably brings them to say _"so _*_this_*_ is what they had to work with back then, huh?"_ And your response is, _"Well kinda- ok, no, not really at all. Picture the same gun but completely different. instead of just putting a round in like this, they had to take a cap and put it on a little thing that doesn't exist on this gun, then a pouch of powder and..."_ I think you get my point. It just wouldn't have a market. I totally respect and appreciate that _you_ would like it - and there are hundreds, even thousands, of custom arms makers today who would gladly make that exact thing for you for a silly high price. But, someone investing capital, paying wages, buying machines, buying advertising etc., I think would [correctly] infer that they'd be producing a weird gun which will have almost no actual market.

[@DocFlamingo]

Dave Carsley I get all that. It was really more of a "Wow, nifty-looking gun"comment.

[@izysly9976]

I believe that the shot gun would make it illegal to sell.

[@jeremyfielder5135]

Why

[@StatelineGunner]

Wow! You sir have a great collection of firearms. Thanks for sharing.

[@1957Shep]

I expect there is a lot of history associated with them. A couple of the local civil war re-enactors use them (reproductions) and always draw lots of attention when they start blasting away with them.

[@sabretooth75]

Saw one of these on Pawn Stars. They were produced in limited numbers because LeMat could not get the materials to make them in the US. The North didn't want to fund it and the South couldn't afford it (if I remember what they said on the show correctly).

[@1957Shep]

It would be very difficult with this one. You could manufacture a conversion cylinder for it, but you would have to completely disassemble the gun in order to load or unload it each time. And there is no way that the center barrel could be converted to cartridge.

[@PhoenixLord0005]

Oh..LeMat originally chambered this pistol for .40 (or .42) caliber revolver bullets, with a .60 (16 gauge) smoothbore barrel, and had a jointed ramrod (mounted on the right-hand side of the frame), which was used to load both barrels. Later, during the American Civil War, a lighter .35-caliber pistol with a .50 caliber (28-gauge) smoothbore barrel was produced, but as these were non-standard ammunition sizes (.36 or .44 caliber were most common for contemporary revolvers)

[@sabretooth75]

These are cool in concept and from a historical perspective. I saw an original one (if I remember) on Pawn Stars!

[@hotrodhotrod-wc3bu]

that is one beautiful peice

[@sabretooth75]

I see some of the 1800's Navy Replicas on sale at Cabelas often. Just need to make it up there on the right weekend. I figure for 129-150, that wouldn't be a bad way to go for entry level stuff. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[@1957Shep]

Absolutely. Hate when that happens.

[@Gunsandfun1961]

Now your talking ,..Reproduction or not ,...very cool,..

[@smilan21]

great video quality, nice to get close-ups of the gun as well

[@WichitaMule]

I too have that model LeMat. It is as you know, the Cavalry model and I have shot mine, both the cylinder and the shotgun barrel and it does absolutely no harm to the finish. Just don't load it hot. There are posted loads all over so I won't give one here but just use common sense when loading the 18 gauge shot barrel. Good video too by the way, thanks.

[@elofkjellson3906]

Even though it isn't really the most viable revolver out there, I have always found this gun to be the most beautiful one I have ever seen. I just absolutely LOVE the design. I know it would be practically impossible, but a cartridge conversion would be great for these, if only it could actually work lol

[@1957Shep]

LeMat did make cartridge guns and conversions do exist. Don`t know much about them. Would assume that the conversions left the shotgun barrel as a muzzleloader. Don`t see any practical way that could be done.

[@BCsGunChannel]

Love the LeMat. Always wanted one. Great video!

[@1957Shep]

It`s on the list for future videos.

[@davecarsley8773]

What a *very* cool gun

[@izysly9976]

I've always loved this gun , mine looked different,mainly the trigger guard.huge gun ,you wouldn't know it until you hold it in your hand.I like how the rear sight is machined Onto the top of the hammer. Good video ,thank you.

[@doctorwholittle]

It's actually pronounced 'leh-MAH'. That is one sweet repro pistol - thanks for posting this!

[@1957Shep]

I suppose you could do some kind of cartridge conversion of the cylinder. But would be pretty tough to do it with the shotgun barrel. And if you could, it would fall under the 1934 NFA as a short barreled shotgun. As is, it is exempt because it`s a muzzleloader.

[@Gunsandfun1961]

Still an awesome gun,....love it,...

[@alleric357]

Now that is an interesting revolver!

[@1957Shep]

I got lucky on this one. Local dealer was selling guns from an estate. Got it for $400. But that was over 10 years ago. Back then they sold new for about $500. These days everything is getting pricey. Think they go for $700 or $800 now.

[@hot2warm]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing. I was thinking about adding the LeMat to my collection, but the price was a little steep for the time being.

[@1957Shep]

The center shotgun barrel isn`t designed for high pressures, so it wouldn`t pack the kind of punch that you associate with a shotgun. Still, I doubt anyone would want to be in front of it when it went off.:)

[@1957Shep]

Thanks. I`ll remember that.

[@micheturner9697]

Thanks Shep, that makes sense! It was a crazy dream lol.

[@1957Shep]

As I understand it, the center barrel wasn`t designed for high pressure, so it would not have had the kind of power you generally associate with a shotgun, but I wouldn`t want to be in front of it when it went off.

[@1957Shep]

Thanks.

[@bigjc12000]

Interesting gun for sure.

[@Leo199534]

True thanks for the info

[@MrRoryJames]

Is there a safety notch between chambers to allow safe loading of all 10?

[@bluetunder40]

Ty my friend

[@ArmyStinger150]

lol...you said nipples! No really, that is one sweet pistol. I've only seen one in a museum. Love the 16gauge on it! Must have been a beast in battle. Great show and tell my friend.

[@1957Shep]

Thanks for the info. Didn`t know that.

[@1957Shep]

thanks.

[@AKJames762]

that is an awesome gun, id love to have one!

[@twilightshooter4990]

I used to want one. Maybe I will buy a 2nd model Dragoon. Maybe I will buy another "Man With No Name" conversion and install a Thunderer birds head grip. I have cowboy revolver sickness.

[@1957Shep]

Cap & Ball revolvers are fun.

[@matthewgarza2865]

No u should get this I have many bp guns and carried a 1851 navy for years till I got my lemat I'll never go back it's just the perfect gun .......my edc I love it

[@1957Shep]

Thanks. You have some good stuff on your channel as well.

[@MrKrieger56]

Nice video, cool gun.

[@1957Shep]

The Colt Navy repros are good shooting guns, but be careful of the brass frame ones. They are great to look at, but won`t stand up to a lot of use. If you plan to shoot it much, get a steel frame one.

[@theironscorpion2128]

The center barrel is also a .65 cal round ball. At lest that's what the catalog says.

[@micheturner9697]

Nice vid and nice gun. I would love someone to make a center fire version of the revolver/ shotgun combo. Would be a great survival gun. I'm sure this was a very "futuristic" gun in its time.

[@frydemwingz]

just think of the madman that made this gun. "why dont I just make a shotgun hold the pistol together?"

[@blakemilitti8908]

I think you mean genius who thought, why use this extra space for a secondary ordinance

[@bluetunder40]

Wow very cool

[@coolrides]

Very thorough, and very interesting! :) Jack

[@1957Shep]

Yes I have shot it. But not very often.

[@BCsGunChannel]

Probably don't want one that bad =) Waiting for the authentication letter from Smith is killing me.

[@1957Shep]

As far as I know, no one has ever converted one of these to cartridge. I suppose the cylinder could be converted to cartridge, but there is no practical way to convert the center barrel. And even if you could convert the center barrel, it would not be lawful under NFA. If it were not percussion, it would be classed as A.O.W. as a short barreled smooth bore shotgun.

[@tomh.5750]

Very nice. Out of the box condition. If only they were available for 400 in half as good condition today. They cost upwards of 1000 euros new now.

[@k.w.churchill4397]

Fuck the finish....shoot the gun!! Experience it!!...It will never be a real collectors gun...and you are gonna die, and some one will shoot it and have fun with it. hell, I would take it squirrel hunting!!. Go use that gun....go!

[@davecarsley8773]

K. W. Churchill I agree. This is how I treat all my guns. I mean, I guess to each his own- you paid for it; you can use it as a Christmas tree ornament if you want. But, at the end of the day, what's the point if you don't shoot it? If you want to _"experience"_ the firearms of the time, you certainly aren't by not shooting it. If you want a gun to take to shows and have people look upon with awe and jealously, a replica ain't doing it for you. I'm just a middle class dude, but I've been able to amass a couple dozen guns in my 30 years and every one of them, from the $350 _Taurus_ .38, to the prized _Remington Model 1860_ replica, gets shot regularly. Given who I am, I can guarantee you that if I fell into some good money, at least some of it would be spent on an _actual_ antique gun in firing condition (I wouldn't ever consider buying a _"not in firing condition"_ gun), and I can also guarantee you that the very same day I'd be finding and buying, or casting if I had to, ammunition and caps for that gun and firing it as soon as possible. I'm willing to admit that not everyone is like me, and there may be some unbelievable satisfaction derived from starring at a beautiful gun in a case that I just won't ever understand, but the men of the day sure as hell didn't buy these guns to look at them and wonder what firing them might be like... So why would I??

[@Las-Vegas-Muskets]

IT is really 18 gauge, and components are available from Track of the Wolf. .65 caliber bore and .63 ball with .015 patch. Jeff Tanner in the UK can make you a .63 mold.

[@shadowalker1776]

Neat gun!

[@1957Shep]

Thanks.

[@1957Shep]

Thanks for watching.

[@mattyice2099]

I love these revolvers. Strange question- if one was to have a cartridge converted version of the lemat, would it be possible to use the percussion caps as a way of detonating rimfire or centerfire cartridges loaded inside of the bored out chambers? ( theoretically)

[@1957Shep]

No. If the chambers were bored through for a cartridge conversion the nipples would no longer be there, so there would be nowhere to put the caps.

[@mattyice2099]

@@1957Shep thanks!

[@DieOnlyifITellU2]

so wait, does this still use percussion caps, or does it fire cartridges..?

[@DieOnlyifITellU2]

and if it doesn't fire cartridges, do you know where i can find one thats converted for cartridge fire..?

[@1957Shep]

I`ll check it out.

[@Leo199534]

cant you change black powder pistols into bullet shooting pistols

[@1957Shep]

Keep in mind it`s a muzzleloading 20ga center barrel.

[@1957Shep]

It`s basicly new. I bought it second hand, but unfired. I`ve only shot it a few times over the years.

[@1957Shep]

Thanks. Already was subbed to your channel.

[@1957Shep]

They are not cheap as black powder revolvers go. I paid $400 for this one, but that was a lot of years ago. They are probably twice that price now. Check Navy Arms web site. I think they still sell them.

[@1957Shep]

Yep. Sure you can see how that reference came about. :)

[@1957Shep]

Calibers are still strange today. A 38 is really 36. A 44 is really 43. A 32 and a 30 are both really closer to 31. ect.

[@mattsulony3616]

tough gun i like

[@dfcvda]

got mine today, its heavy!

[@k1l050]

nice vid man

[@PhoenixLord0005]

LeMat owners had to cast their own bullets (as opposed to being issued them from general military stores.) 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 real use.

[@Las-Vegas-Muskets]

My experience: Almost impossible to seat .454 balls with attached rammer. Tried .451 balls. Snapped right in, but shaved lead ring was only about 80% of the circumference of the chamber. Also, upon firing, the balls were backing out of the cylinder keeping the cylinder from indexing to next chamber.

[@samfish90212]

Cabelas has one of these for $900 and I think it is so beautiful. Wish I could afford it.

[@1957Shep]

I got this one for $400. But that was probably 20 years ago. Dixie Gun Works is currently trying to get $1,250 for them.

[@samfish90212]

@@1957Shep I watched a video of another guy testing the shotgun as well. The ramrod breaks off very easily but the shotgun works well.

[@user-sb3ux7ku6j]

Pietta manufactures it in 44... so there is very little material thickness between two chambers....because originally the le Mat was in 42... the barrillet is not fragile due to their modification...???

[@maccap7388]

Nice pistol, How does it shoot??

[@1957Shep]

Shoots about like any other black powder revolver. Accurate enough. Gets cap fragments jammed in between the cylinder and frame once in a while. Pain in the ass to clean. I`ve never fired the center shotgun barrel. It`s a little more complicated to take apart than an open top Colt revolver.

[@MrFahqup]

You've gotta be SHITTING ME! I had NO IDEA these had the 20g shotgun barrel on them!!!! I put some shells through my friends Taurus Judge... I thought it was the only odd duck that could do that.

[@1957Shep]

Wouldn`t work. The shotgun barrel can`t move back and forth. Not only is it the center pin for the revolver cylinder, it actually holds the gun together just like the center pin of an open top Colt percussion revolver. The Taurus Judge is really chambered for 45 Colt and has a rifled barrel. They just accidently made the cylinder long enough for a 410 shell. :) Actually, it`s the rifled barrel and chambered in 45 that keeps it from being considered a shotgun.

[@VicariousReality7]

Very cool Seems like a pain to clean, no?

[@1957Shep]

A little more so than most percussion revolvers.

[@hotrodhotrod-wc3bu]

were did you purchase this pistel

[@1957Shep]

$400. But that was a lot of years ago. I expect it would be twice that price these days.

[@matthewgarza2865]

1200 $ is what a lemat calvary cost there are 3 different types of the lemat ......

[@michelsavels9701]

Nice video

[@charliemiller3399]

I been wanting one for some time now and I was wondering if you think it would be passable to take the loading lever I'd and load each chain bore like you would with a muzzle loader from the side?

[@OdeeOz]

Would be great if they had a .44 cal/20ga cartridge conversion cylinder.

[@darkentity1000]

did you film this under water? what's up with all the screen ripples lol?

[@1957Shep]

That`s what happens when you allow youtube to "stablize" what they call a shakey video. If youtube ever asks you if you want them to to "fix" your video, decline the offer.

[@SxHxIxFxTxY19]

they had wierdass calibres i think they were .42 and. 39(not sure) but standards are/were 38, 40, 44, and 45

[@1957Shep]

They are not hard to get, but expensive for a black powder revolver.

[@chrissirhc6886]

What did this pistol cost and how hard was it to find?

[@1957Shep]

They are easy to find. You can order one right now from Dixie Gun Works. I paid $400 for this one, but that was a long time ago. They are much higher now. www.dixiegunworks.com/