LeMat Barrel Latch Stuck!

[Model12Win]

Guys the barrel latch on my LeMat revolver appears to be totally seized up. Two days of soaking with liquid wrench, using a heat gun till it was quite hot then letting it cool, using a steel bar to try and pull down the latch with both hands, nothing is working!

This is what it looks like:

It is supposed to swing down out of the frame so the barrels can be removed but mine will not move. What can I do about this? Will I need to take it to a gunsmith? Anyone know of any GOOD gunsmiths in the East Kansas area? Anyone I can send it off to?

Thanks so much!

 

[tobnpr]

What an awesome (and rare) piece!
I know very little about them...Thought I'd seen one online where the latch was pressed upwards instead of swinging down.

Have you disassembled successfully before this way and it's suddenly frozen? Have you looked online for a parts/service/disassembly manual?

 

[Model12Win]

No I bought it and it was like this out of the box. I think someone sold me a bum gun.

 

[mehavey]

if i look at the various videos, it appears that the latch pivots UP (not down).
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/james-d-julia-lemat-grapeshot-revolver-design-evolution/

Was there a design change?

 

[FrankenMauser]

That looks like a Pietta.
Unless there was a change, the latch should pull down (exactly as shown in the annotation).

 

[drobs]

Can you knock that pin out above the pivot point arrow in your picture?

 

[4V50 Gary]

I'd put the gun in a vise (padded cork jaws) and then put a brass punch to it and knock the brass punch.

 

[tobnpr]

Curious if this got resolved?