This rare and unusual pistol is based on designs by Alonzo D. Perry and manufactured by the Perry Patent Arms Co. c. 1854-1856 in Newark, New Jersey. It represents a transition between the first variation and the second variation of the design as it has the longer loading lever that extends down past the bottom of the grip and also has the guide screw of the second variation ahead of the pivot screw but does not have the automatic primer. This one is also interesting in that it has a very long, smooth barrel for a pistol rather than the more common .52 caliber rifled barrels. The barrel has cone front sight and the partial marking "NGTON" on the right at the breech indicating the barrel was made by the Remington family which got their start as barrel makers. It has "36." on the barrel and frame at the breech and on the right side of the breechblock, and "PATENTED/1855" (referencing his last patent, #12,444 on January 16, 1855, for an "Improvement in Fire-Arms," relating to the primer design not actually used on this example) and "PERRY PATENT ARMS CO/NEWARK N.J." marked on top of the breechblock. The grip frame on this example includes an integral pommel cap, and the top of the grips meets the back of the frame in a straight line. Given the barrel length and overall construction, this example appears to have been built as a cane gun. Provenance: The Mark Aziz Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Good with mottled gray and brown patina, mostly distinct markings, light pitting, heavy battering on the lower part of the breechblock ahead of the lever, and mild overall wear. The grips are also good and have some scrapes and dings, smooth oiled finish, crack at the upper left, and some paint splotches. Mechanically fine. This is definitely a very interesting variation of the Perry design.