Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This Perry breech-loading single shot pistol represents one of the more obscure and unusual firearms from America’s pre-Civil War period. Manufactured by the Perry Patent Arms Co. in Newark, New Jersey around 1854-1856, it’s based on patents by Alonzo D. Perry who created several innovative firearms designs that never achieved widespread commercial success. What makes this example particularly interesting is its hybrid nature – it shows features of both the first and second variations of Perry’s design. It has the longer loading lever extending past the bottom of the grip like the first variation but also incorporates the guide screw positioned ahead of the pivot screw as seen on the second variation. However, it lacks the automatic primer mechanism that would become standard on later models. The barrel bears partial “NGTON” marking, indicating it was manufactured by Remington, which started as a barrel making operation before becoming a complete firearms manufacturer. At a remarkable 29⅞ inches long, this smooth bore barrel is unusually lengthy for a pistol, suggesting it may have been designed as a cane gun or similar concealed weapon. The .57 caliber bore would have made it capable of firing small shot loads.
“First Type Perry Breech Loading Single Shot Pistol.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4090/263/first-type-perry-breech-loading-single-shot-pistol. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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