Confederate British-Made LeMat Revolver

Serial #8204, .44 Caliber / 18 Bore, 6 1/2" octagon barrel / 4 3/4" smoothbore barrel both having dark, lightly pitted bores.  This is an all-matching numbered revolver that has crisp Birmingham proofs and "LEMAT & GIRARD’S PATENT LONDON," on the top barrel flat.  The metal has an overall plum-brown patina with hints of original blue remaining on some of the protected areas.  Silvering is present on the high and exposed edges, as well as gray fading at the muzzles.  The checkered walnut grips are in good-very good shape with some light-moderate flattening of the points, and some with-the-grain cracks at the screw bolster on the right panel.  The action lock-up is tight and the revolver functions flawlessly.  These British-made Le Mats were produced for Confederate contracts after the Confederate agent in France, Charles F. Girard, reasoned that it would be faster and cheaper to manufacture Le Mats in Britain rather than shipping completed guns to Britain for inspection and final shipment to America.  Actual production records have yet to be discovered, but the accepted assumption is that these British LeMats were built in 1864 and 1865, although there is a possibility that production started earlier.  In their book "LeMat /  The Man, The Gun" by Forgett & Serpette (1996); serial #8016 is illustrated on page 79. It is practically identical in marking and configuration to this example, save for the fact that the frame assembly pin is a non-original replacement on the published revolver.  This is a splendid example of a Confederate LeMat, in very good plus condition, and would make a fantastic addition to any collection.  Antique