Ask The Civil War Appraiser
By John Sexton · Originally published May 2016 · p. 32
Ask The Civil War Appraiser By John Sexton We are starting a new feature in Civil War News, which will be a regular column written by Civil War Appraiser John Sexton. John is a long-time Civil War aficionado who co-authored my book Confederate Bowie Knives. He will answer questions concerning authenticity and evaluation of Civil War items of any genre about which you might have a question. Please send your questions to [email protected]. Ask The Appraiser: I have a minor query which I hope someone can answer. My LeMat (number 1473, Paris address, London proof marks) has an additional mark engraved on the receiver: “P&Co / Sample”. Do you know who P&Co might be? As my father acquired the pistol about 1935, we have owned it more than half its life. Simon Stannard-Powell Dear Mr. Powell: This gun is fascinating indeed. I have studied Confederate revolvers and LeMats for many years and noted numerous variations in the standard production models. This gun is a typical second model with Paris address and reciprocating pin mechanism seen prior to the ratchet system later used on London-produced guns. This gun does exhibit full octagonal barrel which is typical in this serial range. The last few hundred guns in the Paris production starting about Serial Number 2200 are London proof like your gun Serial Number 1473. The proofs are found on the barrel and each chamber of the cylinder. To my knowledge, this is the only reciprocating pin London proof standard production LeMat. The frame marking which reads “P & Co / Sample” is intriguing. I have little doubt that P & Co was an agent attempting to sell these guns. Based on research, this gun was most likely made early 1863. We know that most of the first Confederate revolvers were purchased under Confederate government contract for both the Navy and Army. Various private entities advertised the availability of these guns in 1862 based on ads in Charleston by C.T. Mitchell & Co. and Kent, Paine & Co., Richmond, VA. Payne, Huntington & Co., New Orleans, guaranteed a $400,000 payment for Confederate imports from France. It is interesting to note that Col. LeMat was paid $2,500 August
Typical 2nd model address, “Bte” is abbreviation for Brevette or patent, “s. g. d. g.” is abbreviation for “sans guarantie du gouvernment” meaning the French Government does not guaranty the pistol. 10, 1862, by Gautherin & Co., New Orleans who was the New Orleans company that was the actual agent making the Confederate purchases in New Orleans. “P & Co.” could have been either an American or an English agent, as this gun was proofed in England. Perhaps one of our readers will have a long, lost document showing a potential match to solve our mystery as to who was attempting to sell LeMats? This gun appears to be very fine. It saw limited use still exhibiting most of its original finish. If this gun were sold in a well-advertised international auction, it would probably have a presale estimate of $20,000-30,000, and I would not be surprised to see it bring more as not only does it appear in very high condition, but the intriguing marking adds value, in my opinion. Of note, the two finest first model LeMat revolvers, in my opinion, just sold at James D. Julia Auctions March 15, 2016. Serial Number 8, which at one time belonged to Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, sold for $224,250. Serial Number 88, which belonged to Gen. John Lawson Lewis, the commanding general of the Louisiana State Militia, sold for $86,250. A Francotte LeMat, Serial Number 16, in exceptional condition, sold for $46,000. There is an extraordinary collection of LeMats from the Clifford Young estate to be sold April 26, 2016, at Cowan’s Auction in Cincinnati, and the remainder of his over 30 LeMats to be sold at a later sale. In his collection is found the lowest serial number first model LeMat, Serial Number 4, and a Francotte LeMat with an inscription as a Christmas present to a Maine Civil War soldier in 1863. There are many other rarities also to be offered. For those interested in the intriguing story of LeMat revolvers, the following references are recommended: Doug Adams, The Confederate LeMat Revolver, 2005. Fuller & Stewart, Firearms of the Confederacy, 1944. William Albaugh, Confederate Arms, 1957. Anthony & Hill Confederate Longarms and Pistols, 1978. Forgett, Serpette, LeMat, The Man, The Gun, 1996. Madaus & Murphy, Confederate Carbines & Musketoons, 2002. Wiley Sword, Firepower from Abroad, 1986.
John is an certified appraiser with International Society of Appraisers specializing in Civil War memorabilia. He authenticates and evaluates other rare and valuable historic items also.
