LeMat Revolvers are "hands-down" the most romantic of all handguns used by the Confederacy during the Civil War. The LeMat revolver was used by such famous Confederate officers as Generals P.G.T. Beauregard, Braxton Bragg, J.E.B. Stuart, Richard Anderson, Major Henry Wirz and others. I can remember first learning about the LeMat Revolver over 30 years ago from Damon Mills of Montgomery, Alabama when we examined a near mint, ivory stocked example that I dug out of an auction in Texas. I have no doubt that since that time, Damon has uncovered 20 or more Lemats directly from families who have owned them since the Civil War and more than half showed up without a loading lever. This is the 6th LeMat that I have turned up in the last 10 years, and every one of them came in without a loading lever. Damon and I have surmised that the lever was so notorious for getting hung up in a belt or holster that users just removed them and threw them away. This example is straight out-of-the-woods and has never been offered for sale before. It is sharp and crisp to include all edges and markings, especially the Paris barrel address which is particularly bold. The action was frozen when it came in, but a good soaking and oiling has freed it. The barrel fastening pin is missing with a screw in its place. This gun is completely untouched. It is in gray patina mixing with gun-metal gray with the slightest traces of blue in protected areas. The grips are fairly sharp and all parts are matching in the 17XX range. This is a nice condition LeMat.