| This is a LE MAT two-barrel
Revolver. This gun is a transitional model having all features of the first model, with
the exception of the loading lever mounted on the left side. Girard & Co., Paris,
France manufactured it. It was produced circa 1860. The inventor of this unusual weapon
was Dr. Jean Alexander Francois Le Mat of New Orleans, Louisiana. He and P. G. T.
Beauregard tried to manufacture this revolver in America. Their efforts were unsuccessful.
Le Mat then went to Paris where Dr. Girard became a partner and manufactured the
revolvers. They have a 9 shot cylinder of .42 caliber and a .63 caliber shotgun barrel. |
