Confederate Navy Baby LeMat Grapeshot Revolver

Published on October 1, 2016
Duration: 9:11

This review details the rare Baby LeMat Grapeshot Revolver, a scaled-down variant intended for the Confederate Navy. Originally contracted for 2,000 units, only about 100 were produced due to production delays and contract cancellation. It features a unique dual-barrel system with a .32 caliber 9-shot cylinder and a .41 caliber rifled center barrel, distinguishing it from the larger original LeMat.

Quick Summary

The Baby LeMat Grapeshot Revolver was a rare sidearm developed for the Confederate Navy, featuring a .32 caliber 9-shot cylinder and a .41 caliber rifled center barrel. Only about 100 were produced due to contract cancellation, making it extremely scarce.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Size Comparison
  2. 00:51Confederate Navy Contract & Calibers
  3. 01:47Production Scarcity & History
  4. 03:07Markings & Serial Numbers
  5. 04:13Mechanical Operation Explained
  6. 05:19Disassembly & Field Stripping
  7. 06:47Loading Mechanism & Hidden Ramrod

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Baby LeMat revolver historically significant?

The Baby LeMat is significant as a rare sidearm intended for the Confederate Navy during the Civil War. Its contract was canceled due to production delays, leading to very few units being manufactured, making it highly collectible.

What are the key caliber differences between the Baby LeMat and the standard LeMat?

The Baby LeMat features reduced calibers: a .32 caliber for its 9-shot cylinder and a .41 caliber for the center barrel. The standard LeMat used larger calibers, typically .42 for the cylinder and .63 for the center barrel.

How many Baby LeMat revolvers were produced?

Although 2,000 units were contracted for the Confederate Navy, production issues meant only approximately 100 Baby LeMat revolvers were ever manufactured before the contract was canceled.

What is the unique feature of the Baby LeMat's loading mechanism?

The Baby LeMat incorporates a hidden ramrod extension that threads into the grip pommel. This clever design was necessary because the short barrel length of the pistol did not allow for a conventional, full-length ramrod.

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