FRANCE, second half of the 19th century - Lot 189

FRANCE, second half of the 19th century LE MAT Single-action, capsule-action, percussion, 10-shot carbine-revolver, including a central shot. With two superimposed round barrels, the upper octagonal towards the thunder and marked L.M.* and n° 51. Striped or smooth. Cal. 11 mm (.44) or 14 mm (approx. Cal. 20). Remains of Arabic text in gilt on top meaning "God gave me something". Sighting device with two leaves (blocked by oxidation) and rear sight. Steel barrel with 9 chambers, engraved with foliage. One central chamber. Steel frame and iron trigger guard, decorated en suite. Ball-and-socket joint for central chamber. Iron butt plate. English-style walnut stock (formerly sanded). Barrel length: 50 or 45.7 cm - Overall length: 93 cm. Interesting model in very fair condition. 5 fireplaces, ramrod, screw under upper barrel (left side), hammer pin screw, carcass pin screw and shoulder strap flaps missing; double front barrel retaining ring missing, the intermediate one, with flap ring, advanced. Wear, scratches and knocks; oxidation and some deep corrosion on previously cleaned metal parts, particularly upper barrel; oxidized barrel interiors; slightly warped lever. Alexandre-François Le MAT (1824-1881), French physician, settled in New Orleans around 1850, then Confederate colonel during the American Civil War, inventor of the revolver system with barrel axis for shot or hunting cartridges, patented in 1856.