Only a few hundred breech loading pistols were manufactured by the Perry Patent Arms Co., Newark, New Jersey, circa 1854 to 1856 based on designs by Alonzo D. Perry who previously worked as a blacksmith in New York in the 1840s and also held other unrelated patents. The company was formed in 1853 and failed around 1855 despite succeeding in getting a contract from the government for 200 carbines that year. Most of Perry's rifles, carbines, cane guns, and pistols feature a tubular magazine fed through the butt that held percussion caps allowing for faster reloading in coordination with the lever action breech loading mechanism. The normal percussion nipple at the rear of the breechblock lines up with the feeding tube which extends from the butt. The breech tips up when manipulated by the serpentine trigger guard lever. It is marked "A.D PERRY/PATENTED" and "PERRY PATENT ARM Co/NEWARK N.J." on top of the breechblock, and "42" on top of the barrel and frame at the breech and inside each grip. The automatic cap dispenser/magazine has the matching serial number in Roman numerals ("XL II"). The front sight is a dovetailed brass blade, and there is no rear sight.

Fine with 25% bright original blue finish mixed with mostly crisp brown patina, some mild oxidation, and general mild wear. The grips are fine with light scratches and dings, mild edge wear, and smooth finish. Mechanically excellent. These pistols are quite difficult to find today.