Lemat shipped.

[jim young]

I had even forgotten I had a Lemat on back order from Cabelas. for several months, not figuratively but since first of the year. Just got notice it shipped. They are 899. Not cheap but they go used for around that and you don't see too many of them for sale.

 

[Spunk Puppy]

I recently bought a LeMat (Pietta Cavalry) off an NSSA member and it arrived without the shotgun ramrod and the cylinder release tab was fused to the frame. I let it sit for days covered in Liquid Wrench and tried everything I could to pry it loose, but I could see it was rusted to the frame. Also the grips did not match and one of them was very proud of the frame, looked quite bad while the other side was fitted flawlessly.

I got a refund from him (minus $50 he decided to keep for unknown reasons) and have since lost interest. It was a gorgeous piece... just so far beyond any other Pietta in terms of fit and finish (minus one of the grip panels)... will have to pick one up someday for sure, but I want the Navy model that has an improved hammer system and cylinder release mechanism.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

I was always of the belief that Pietta didn't change the hammer system or cylinder release from one model to the other due to production costs, just the overall cosmetics to resemble the Navy model. I could be wrong!
J.

 

[Spunk Puppy]

I was always of the belief that Pietta didn't change the hammer system or cylinder release from one model to the other due to production costs, just the overall cosmetics to resemble the Navy model. I could be wrong!
J.

They are true to the originals. The "Navy", "Army", and "Cavalry" model names however are totally fabricated by Pietta. They are just used to distinguish the features for their catalog. Real LeMats were never called those models. The incremental changes do represent improvements in the design, though.

Real LeMats are grouped chronologically, with "transitional" features on some, but never by "army", "navy" etc. The Pietta "Navy" LeMat is similar to the late production originals and with the hammer selector lever made easier to use and the cylinder release mechanism changed over to a more reliable plunger type pin.

I don't know much about most other ACW guns, but the LeMat is one I have read up on a lot! I recommend this book a huge deal if you're really interested in learning about LeMats:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1931464200/?tag=civilwartalkc-20