Pietta Le Mat Cavalry
F.lli Pietta · Revolver · In Production
Also known as: LeMat Cavalry, Pietta LeMat Cavalry, Le Mat Grapeshot Revolver, LMC44
Overview
The Pietta Le Mat Cavalry is a modern black-powder percussion revolver reproducing the Confederate-era LeMat 'grapeshot' revolver. It is a nine-shot .44 caliber cap-and-ball revolver built around a central 20-gauge single-shot smoothbore barrel that also serves as the cylinder axis pin. Flipping the movable hammer nose lets the shooter select between the rifled .44 revolver barrel and the underslung shotgun barrel loaded with buckshot. Built by F.lli Pietta of Italy, the Cavalry model features a 6.75-inch octagonal rifled barrel, case-hardened hammer and trigger, blued steel components, a checkered two-piece walnut grip, a spurred trigger guard and a lanyard ring.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1560 g (55.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 340 mm (13.39") |
| Barrel Length | 171 mm (6.73") |
| Action Type | Single Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 90 m (98 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44 Caliber Percussion · primary — also known as .44 caliber percussion, .44 ball, .44 black powder
- 20 Gauge — also known as 20GA, 20 Bore, buckshot
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder, Single Shot Smoothbore Shot Barrel
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Notch
- Features: Percussion Cap Ignition, Nine Shot Revolving Cylinder, Underslung 20 Gauge Shot Barrel, Octagonal Rifled Barrel, Hammer Nose Barrel Selector, Grapeshot Capability, Case Hardened Hammer And Trigger, Spurred Trigger Guard, Lanyard Ring
Production
Production years: modern reproduction, in production
Reproduction of the original LeMat revolver, roughly 2,900 of which were produced between 1856 and 1865 for the Confederate States of America.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Jean Alexandre LeMat
Notes
The dual-barrel design gives the shooter ten shots before reloading: nine .44 rounds plus one shotgun charge. The Cavalry model is distinguished by its spurred trigger guard and lanyard ring; Pietta also offers Navy and Army pattern LeMat reproductions.
Background
The original LeMat revolver was invented by Jean Alexandre LeMat, a New Orleans doctor, and championed by his cousin P.G.T. Beauregard, who became a Confederate general. The nine-shot cylinder plus buckshot barrel earned it the nickname 'the grapeshot revolver,' and it was carried by notable Confederate officers including J.E.B. Stuart. Pietta's Cavalry reproduction keeps this rare Civil War design in production for reenactors and black-powder shooters.