RARE MODEL 1859/60 CIVIL WAR ERA FRENCH PERRIN REVOLVER

RARE MODEL 1859/60 CIVIL WAR ERA FRENCH PERRIN REVOLVER

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$2,550.00

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Item Code: 2026-898

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Probably the least often encountered of all American Civil War imported handguns the Perrin was a French designed cartridge revolver with a double action lock and a 6-shot cylinder. This action being actuated by the long, heavy pull of the trigger, and with no facility or spur to cock the hammer manually. The Perrin fired an advanced 11mm (.45 caliber), internally primed, self-contained metallic cartridge. The patent covering the revolver design, but most especially the cartridge design, was granted in France to Perrin & Delmas in 1859. The weapon had a hidden ejector rod that was used to eject the empty cases from the cylinder. The rod was stored within the center portion of the cylinder arbor, and could be withdrawn, and then rotated via a cam on the barrel, to align it with a cylinder chamber on the right-hand side of the gun. This placed the rod in the correct position to push the empty cases out of the chambers.

Perrin revolvers are of three types, which appear to be chronological in their evolution. Both Types I and II have open top frames, while the Type III has a top strap. The variations between these three types are further indicated by the type of loading gate system. Type I gates are rather thin and are hinged at the top, swinging outward and upward. Type II gates are somewhat thicker and are also hinged at the top, but swing to the rear of the revolver to open.

This Type II Perrin revolver (Model 1860) is in very good condition. The right side of the frame, forward of the cylinder is marked in two lines: "PERRIN" over "& Cie Bte" indicating the gun was patented by Perrin & Company. On the left side of the frame is the serial number "N 920", over the typical Perrin “sunburst” and "PARIS" motif.  The matching serial number also appears on the cylinder and the bottom of the barrel (hidden by the ejector rod cylinder arbor combination). All of the markings remain quite crisp, sharp and legible. Like most examples of Perrins, this one is finished in the white. The originally bright metal has dulled and oxidized with time, leaving a thin pleasing brown patina over most of the metal. The double action mechanism works very well. The original Type II top-hinged thin loading gate, which is the weakest point of the design of this gun, is present.  The English designed Adams style safety spring is missing from on the left-hand side of the frame. The barrel is 5 1/2 inches long; the bore has 6-groove rifling. This bore is nice condition and is mostly bright. The original ejector rod in the center of the cylinder pin is present, and the rotating cam allows it to function correctly. The one-piece walnut grip is in fine condition, with no chips or breaks or repairs. The original lanyard ring is present on the iron butt cap and swivels.

One can document the sale of 550 Perrin revolvers, from a contract for 1,0000 total revolvers, to the US Government by arms speculator Alex Godillot a furnisher who listed as his business addresses Paris and New York and delivered the revolvers at a price of $20.00 each, including 50 rounds of Perrin ammunition with each revolver. It appears most Perris sent to America have serial numbers under 1,000 and all are of the open frame, Type I or Type II. Much like the Perrin’s contemporary, the Lefaucheux revolver, it appears deliveries were of available guns on hand and no systematic attempt to keep the deliveries within a specific serial number block or range was attempted by the furnishers. Fredrick Todd in "American Military Equipage 1851 to 1872" lists the Perrin as being a possible secondary Confederate purchase. A rarely seen Civil War revolver; this one came out of a museum in Up State New York.   [pe][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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