The Civil War LeMat grapeshot revolver - history, accuracy, terminal ballistics
The LeMat revolver - even if it is a reproduction - is an arm you want to own once in your lifetime if you are black powder shooter. Definitely different from all other muzzle loading side arms of the American Civil War. This episode covers the history of the development and also shows the operation of the Pietta repro. So if you ever wondered how powerful end effective this cavalry revolver was, this is your video.
The full version is more than 50 minutes (additional parts: making revolver and buckshot and single ball cartridges, disassembly and cleaning the LeMat), you can access it as a member of the Capandball KZhead channel:
• History of the Confede...
Or on our Patreon page:
/ lemat-revolver-94523897
Or on History of Weapons and War platform:
www.weaponsandwar.tv/most-rec...
Many thanks for the excellent images to Rock Island Auction Company: www.rockislandauction.com/
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
02:42 First trial of the Pietta repro on metal plates
04:23 Development
07:59 25 m accuracy trial of the Pietta repro
13:11 Difficulties during the Civil War
17:00 The Second Model and the reciprocating pin system
19:25 Accuracy of the shotgun barrel with buck shot
21:14 Cartridges of the LeMat revolver
25:35 Ballistic gelatin tests of the projectiles of the shotgun barrel
29:49 The Pietta repro
The full version is more than 50 minutes (additional parts: making revolver and buckshot and single ball cartridges, disassembly and cleaning the LeMat), you can access it as a member of the Capandball KZhead channel: kzhead.info/sun/arCEcrayan-Ja40/bejne.html Or on our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/posts/lemat-revolver-94523897 Or on History of Weapons and War platform: www.weaponsandwar.tv/most-recent-uploads/videos/le-mat-full
That loading bar constantly coming loose gives me conniptions.
Not the strongest point of the design...
Is there a way to make the loading bar actually stay put after each shot?
Because other then that it's to me the dream cap and ball revolver
@@miscx7355 probably a leather strap like some of the original colts latches
Nothin a piece of duct tape or a thong of leather couldn't fix.
Tonight HBO just started re-showing West World and we all know what the bad guys pistol is right ? So this episode is perfectly timed.
The most surprising part of this comment is that people still watch broadcast television.
@@johnshelton22 Same. I enjoy HBO shows including west world, but I have been using their streaming service for so long I forgot live broadcast was even still a thing.
I remember that, also the modern interpretation of a 12 gauge under a Tokarev TT33 in the Kingsmen movie.
@@johnshelton22My parents first got HBO so all of us and our friends could watch Game of Thrones together, we also did that for breaking bad and 24. Broadcast television still has alot to offer, but streaming is good for exclusives, and when there's nothing on cable or shows are on hiatus.
Its actually a custom prop capable of holding 9 rounds of .38 spl cased cartridges and a 20 gauge full brass. Sadly it doesn’t exist but hopefully some one will make it real so people can buy it.
I know that a modern LeMat designed to fire cartridges would sell. The fact that reproductions are still made, and people still buy them, tells me the romantic appeal of this gun is alive and well.
Issue would be the cost of R&D and tooling up for production of it; they’d have to sell quite a few before off-setting that start up investment. I’m honestly curious how often black powder pistols are actually sold; there’s a set of these that have been in one of my LGS’s for quite some time now, and one at a different shop for even longer. Both of these shops cater to all varieties of gun owners, however the one that’s had a LeMat retro in it the longest almost exclusively sells antique or hunting oriented firearms. I really don’t think the number of folks willing to put that amount of money into a BP pistol is as great as you think.
I wish that someone would make a reproduction of the cartridge conversion version!
ITs been done. A real one of this model. Only a few were made by an expert gunsmith.
I agree. A cartridge version would be awesome, with a shotgun barrel that can shoot a standard slug, a low velocity slug.
Yes, I would love to see a cartridge version available commercially but doubt that we will see that. You could probably use a cartridge such as the 32 HR Mag to convert one of black powder versions to avoid pressure issues. No real good/safe way to convert the shotgun barrel to fire the modern 45 colt/410.
I know a guy on this sight who charges money for custom converisons
Around 97 I read a story in a magazine, I could have sworn it was one of the ones that came with NRA membership, about a company that intended to start producing them "any day". An important part of their plan was to sell them to law enforcement as a mount weapon, in particular for CHP motorcycle patrolman. Obviously that plan fell through. Ive never heard of them or that plan again.
It was used in one of favorite books "Deathlands". The character Doc used the Lemat reminded him of the 18th century where he was from. He was time traveled to the 2100's. He always had a hard time keeping his powder dry. Even when better guns were available he stuck with that hog leg.
Great in-depth history without getting bogged down in extraneous details.
thank you. i have seen Jebs personal model in the tredegar museum, it has the lever on the right side. they have a wonderful firearm collection
Dr. Lemat designing a gun. Like Dr. Richard Gatling.
Like Dr GUILLOTIN
I'd like to see a modern day metallic cartridge version of the LeMat.
If I remember right, Forgotten Weapons did an episode on Cartridge revolvers made by the LeMat company. They did exist, so I'm sure there are patent drawings somewhere.
As I remember, I saw one or two of these in a museum in Gettysburg Pa. The originals must fetch a kings ransom.
I love the shotgun capability - Just really cool to watch.
If we were allowed to use percussion revolvers with less than 40 grns of powder, & less than 45 caliber here for hunting, that pistol would be perfect for short range deer hunting. We also hunt forest grouse while deer hunting, so the shotgun addition would make it a great combination.
I have always wanted one of these. Being in Canada, getting an authentic antique will be pure luck, and as of a week ago, a reproduction is a no go by law. So disappointing... it is nice to finally hear someone pronounce "LeMat" correctly. Thank you for the great video and all of the terrific information.
It’s a great design on paper.
Thanks for another well researched and produced video. Merry Christmas Capanball!
You bring much joy brother, your videos help me through, I love your channel. Thank you and Happy new year friend.
I’ve always thought that this was an interesting design. You definitely taught me a few things that I didn’t know about the LeMat. Great video sir!
As you said LeMat was a doctor, so was Gatling who invented the machine gun. As for Mercury fulminate which lead to the primer, we have ...not a doctor, but a Scottish vicar, Rev. Alexander Forsyth
As a doctor, he could do no harm. As a gun designer, he could harm as much as he wanted.
A very informative video on a well known but mysterious revolver. Nice to see It actually being shot by an expert I can trust.
Outstanding video. And we can very much appreciate why all cap n ball revolver holsters featured a robust cover flap. At 9:10 watching the careful loading and earlier during the (admittedly nerve wracking) firing and loosening of the hinged ram rod, one is reminded “this is literally a hand canon.” A single chain fire when correcting the loosened rod could equal “bye bye Mister finger”
Best LeMat shooting video on youtube! Hope to see more 19th century pistols on this channel. Thank you
While back I bought a box of gun parts and in were most of the parts for a pocket revolver, break open, like an inexpensive common Iver Johnson type. Looking at them I see that it is a .22 and the cylinder revolves around a .32 caliber rifled barrel! First I have seen or even heard about
Very interesting and informative. Thanks for posting
Ah yes! My favorite sound to hear with headphones at 20:35
Very interesting and informative presentation! Thank you
EXCELLENT video.
Such a cool revolver. Thanks for the video.
Great information on this .
The le-mat is a very cool firearm
Truly a wonderful video on a beautiful firearm. I've been captivated by the LeMat due to being such a futuristic design for the time. I imagine if the LeMat had been a more popular firearm, the flaws in the system would have been addressed. The Cavalry model is on my bucket list to own.
The two most expensive cap and ball revolvers I ever owned was the Lemat and the DA Starr and the worse cap and ball revolvers I ever owned. The Starr wouldn't fire and the Lemat's loading lever broke almost right away. The nipple on the shotgun barrel was a different size but at least it fired the cylinder rounds every time unlike the Starr. I traded both of them off.
Another excellent video!
My hope is to add one of these beautiful revolvers to my collection by the end of 2024.
You deserve more viewers! Great video as always. Greetings from Bohemia
Outstanding video, I learned so much❤ I first heard of the LeMat over 15 years ago when I bought an old firearms pocket reference book at a flea market. You could also find one in rdr2.
Enjoying your content
This is my favorite pistol of all time! Coolest design in a pistol ever. I mean really. A 9 shot for approaching enemies and a shotgun for someone who's right on top of you. At least that's what I would do with it.
Dear Balázs, I have learnt a lot again. Thanks for this Vid and congrats! Pls. keep on rolling. Brg., Karoly
Thanks for the LeMat Karesz! :)
Ah crap, I've been looking for a LeMat for a while, now 10,000 other people will be to.
😂
:D
Thanks!
Many thanks Michael!
I own 2 of these, it was actually the first black powder arm I ever owned (bad idea im aware) and its still my favorite BP piece to bring out, even if it is quite fragile and cumbersome
I always remember being at the National matches and seeing those on sale down in the Sutler's Row. I was fascinated with them. But they were expensive, so I ended up with a Remington Army. Which was probably better anyway. They are chonky guns. They can get to you shooting off-hand, for sure. It was a little better since you would never be using the shotgun barrel, so that's a little weight off. But they still are a serious chunk of metal. I'd still like to get one just to plink a bit with because they are a really neat little side lane on the road of handguns.
i know wat you mean; i bought an 1855 .58 Cal. Percussion Pistol with a Stock. Liked to fire it, not accurate enough, for me being born a target shooter condemned to an endless search for a 1 hole group. i think you caught it too.
Thanks for this video! Some great information on that beautiful piece. I fell in love with the LeMat the moment I first laid eyes on it and learned what it was. Just imagine a modern version of this, like, idk, maybe a 12-shot .357 magnum with and 20 gauge shotgun barrel. The grip angle alone would probably be enough to injure your wrist, but man, it would be fun... once. 😁
Beautiful revolver )
For some reason I was unsubscribed from this channel again 😮 but not to worry I fixed it also I know a lot of people want the colt 1911 as there dream gun but this is mine I want one of these lemat revolvers so bad I've been waiting on back order for almost a year and I will continue to wait for sure
El más hermoso revolver de avancarga, jamás construido!!.
Thank you for this very teachfull Video. This Revolver is very underratet . In combat it is usefull to have more than 5 or 6 shots in the Revolver and at close range the buckshot is devastating. So as often the good things fail because people who are in Charge are not intelligent enough to see the potenziel. Happy New year and best wishes.. Yours Frank Galetzka
Awesome!
The Atlanta history museum has some nice lemats.
Thanks for another Great video cap and ball, And yes I agree sometimes certain toys we must add to our collection when ever we can afford to have them, when new young shooters ask me about my advice on the what they should acquire I always say to get an elephant gun, they laugh and think I am joking but I try and keep a straight face when they say what do I need one for? And I say what are you going to do if an elephant attacks you? But seriously if you can I say get one and even if you don't shoot it much you have one to complete your long and happy collection in the world of shooting sports, God bless us all and thanks again.
Its almost sad it wasnt a commercial success, but i understand why it wasnt. The loading rammer was weak, the action is a little too fragile and its heavy. Despite this, your right, I'd love to own one. Prohibitively expensive when they can be found in the US
They're not expensive, you can find LeMat revolvers for under $400 and since they're black powder you don't need a background check.
@@Master_Yoda1990 really? Gone looking in the US lately? Try more like $1500 when theyre in stock lately. Ive looked lol
@@Rumblestrip you must be looking for the original productions then, because Uberti, Taylor's Co., and Pietta all still make the LeMat revolver along with other classic designs that are extremely accurate to the patent usually for under $400.
@@Master_Yoda1990 try $1449 and change at Taylors. Look some more... EMF, the importer for Pietta is pretty close to that as well...
@@Rumblestripthe representative are selling for 4 to 500 I'm y area ( southern Kansas).
Great video ! The ballistic gel test is interesting, have you ever used a blunderbuss? They are so rare on the internet...
man got me needing to see ballistic gel vs blunderbuss now
If you put a very slight bend in the loading rod, it will not jump out of its tube with every shot. Not to much of a bend mind you, just a little bit to cause it to be more secure.
I’d love for a modern version of one . But alas no one is gonna revisit these old ideas
they were made in pinfire and there are conversion carbines. they were made until the 1890's
"I count 6 shots! We got that varmit now boys!" * resecures loading lever and ramrod with malicious intent *
wonderfull !
Id imagine the soldier on a loud ass battlefield trying to reload the pistol under gret duress and sweat,shaky fingers,drops a round
i gotta ask what is it with the high pitch noise when you do a slowmo am i the only one hearing it? still tho your videos are really cool so keep it up :3
I noticed it too, but don't know what is causing it.
If anyone here read Charles Frasier’s novel Cold Mountain (the film released 8-9 years later if memory serves) this was the Jude Law character’s carry piece. It’s well described as he gathers his possessions to escape the hospital when he decides he’s had enough of war. Tbh I cannot remember if it’s also what he carrie’s in the film.
Hey there, will stadiametric range finders ever be in stock again?
that cleaning rod is always so flimsy on these revolvers. I have never seen a video of the LeMat where the cleaning rod doesen't come loose. That grapeshot is so cool though.
Did they have to grease the end of chambers to stop chain fire in these pistols or am i thinking of different pistol
Pistol Powder, in the US, is 3F.
The pistol powder of the 19th century was closer to 2Fg.
here in the US it was 3f@@capandball
Is there any documentation from trials or from the field, about having to reposition the rammer, after each shot….or at least often?
I could not find any. Some sources even doubt that the LeMat was distributed among cavalry soldiers. Probably most of them were issued to officers not privates.
I use KIWI Natural shoe polish for lube, i have noticed after a firing session the bore is coated with wax and white, while the lands are visible. Have you noticed something similar. I use it in my smokeless loads for sizing lube. Recently i had a failure to extract at the range. I checked my bore with a bore scope after shooting, wax under the tikka type extractor and the barrel coated with wax. I had forgotten to wipe the lube off the reloads. To my surprise the barrel was coated with wax. 40 rds and wax stopped ejection.
Never tried that lube, sorry.
if you are ever in a store where American goods are stored try it it is made of the finest grade of carnauba wax@@capandball
i have been a subscriber since 2013 enjoy your unique approach and the guns otherwise never see. @@capandball
Hunenglish? My favourite!
The only gun that throws its loading lever almost as fast (and as hard) as it's projectile
Removing the Lemat's loading lever might actually improve the design, it seems... On a side note, seeing you use a paper cartridge for the Lemat's shotgun barrel, I wonder if the same concept would work for muzzleloading shotguns?
Yes, it can work. Choke the cylinder with the over shot wad in the end, fill the shot, insert the over powder wad, fill the powder, fold the end.
I want a LeMat soo much... but my roof needs replacing so I cannot has one
I wonder if maybe a small slightly raised punch mark, or two, on the ram rod would not give it a bit more friction to stay put ? I certainly would not have turned down that monster in the war if given the chance to carry one , that shotgun with bird shot could also have put some food on the fire :)
The spring holding the rammer can be bent a bit more for more force.
Hello, I’d like to be a paid member of the channel, but it seems like you’ve suspended it. Is there any chance if I can join? Thanks. Love your contents.
Man i want a replica of these
Dixie Gun Works, Cabela's, and a few other distributors regularly sell them, but they are a bit pricey. Around $1000+.
You have to wonder if those other 10 round balls hit a soldier on either side of the one you were aiming at?? Kind of the idea of a shotgun.
Glad I never bought one of these. Thanks.
Nie wiem czy cała zbroja w tle jest husarii, czy tylko szyszak?🤔😉 Pozdrawiam
Repro hussar armour and helmet
@@capandball pamiętam, że sprawdzałeś ale... Jak wyglądała jej odporność na muszkiety, arkebuzy czy guldynki? Wiem, że np . Szweckie oddziały potrafiły oddać maksymalnie dwie salwy w czasie szarży... Z marnym skutkiem😉 Pozdrawiam
Watch your fingers when that rod pops loose please 🏴👍
A doctor named Dr Richard Gatling invented a gun too. You've heard of it :p . Doctors invented many weapons.
He, Personally, fired the first shot at Fort Sumpter in the Civil War.
And Anderson that commanded Ft. Sumpter was his artillery instructor at West Point.
add that to new info. The Civil War was like that. Some of my relatives, german side, fought for the South, sone in Pennsylvania, ere part of the Underground Railroad, some fought for the North.
@@USAACbrat Yeah, my dads side, German, fought for the North. My moms side, Texican, fought for the South. My Alamo will be here in Kentucky where it was brother against brother. Are you a fellow brat, l spent the first 18 years of my life in the military, got out in '73
Lincoln was supposed to evacuate Ft. Sumpter, not resupply. It was the False Flag that kicked off our uncival war. How's the federal stranglehold working out for everyone, the politicized alphabit agencies, for starters?
:D I am old as hell.
Aint it... like a steampunk gun?
Not the accent I suspected to hear, I must say!
Maybe it is too early in the morning, but I am having difficulty understanding you. I have to move on.
i wish i could buy this gun in germany without waiting 2.5 years for a license
There’s hope man! Get politically active with gun groups and advocate for the change you want to see. Everyone in the world deserves the right to own a LeMat
@@Springfield1795 Its even in our constitution, no LeMat shall be infringed. But that was back when the Brown Bess was the "assault rifle."
Move to Hungary! :)
Promo`SM
Looks can be deceiving, but not as deceiving as a low down, dirty... deceiver.
I know it makes a big boom when it goes off but when it's filtered through telephones and things like that it sounds different
That's easy for you to say the French doctor's name I'm here in the US and can't speak it I know a little Italian love your videos
Its one of the good things about the internet, before it came around l spoke one language, kinda. Now I'm up to 9 or 10, have a super high IQ and pretty much an expert on everything.
Not insinuating this knowledgeable man is like that, I'm talking about ME
@@jakeroberts7435 I can hardly speak Hungarian. ;)
@@capandball 😂
@@capandball Doesn't matter, you could use captions and your presentations would still be second to none.
Well if you take that Target and put it up to your chest a lot of guys do that and it shows center Mass where the black center is on the target you know like I know it was designed as a combat pistol for and I'm sure if somebody had it they could carry it for self-defense and not feel undergone I carry a Ruger vaquero single action Colt 45 in a 1911 45 from 1911 is my everyday s i d e a rm the single action 45 don't feel under a gun
Pude ver que es de 9 tiros. ME GUSTARÍA SABER EL CALIBRE LO MISMO DEL CAÑON SUPLEMENTARIO. Saludos desde Uruguay.