About 550 Perrin revolvers were purchased by the Union during the war by government agents through Alexis Godillot in Paris. Godillot also supplied Lefaucheux revolvers, uniforms, and other goods desperately needed for the war effort. His military boots were so well known in France that Godillot is slang there for boot. These Perrin revolvers are some of the rarest Civil War era handguns. Additional revolvers may have been imported for the commercial market after the war. It uses internally primed 12 mm metallic centerfire cartridges and has a six shot cylinder. This example is marked "No. 174" and "L. PERRIN" on opposite sides of the frame and cylinder and has a post front sight, notch rear sight, spurless hammer, attractively checkered grip and a lanyard loop. While many surviving Perrin revolvers left the factory armory bright, this example was blued.

Very good plus. Strong remnants of bright high polish blue finish remain on the cylinder and a few spots of the frame. The balance has mottled gray and brown patina and some very slight pitting. The grip is fine and retains crisp checkering and displays only minor handling and storage marks. The action functions fine, and the markings are clear.