Manufactured between late 1850s - 1860 by Alonzo Perry, Newark, New Jersey. The total manufactured is believed to be around 1,500 total of the Perry carbine and sporting rifles (an estimated 500 carbines were sold commercially and to military contracts). This breech loading rifle has a unique one piece lever loop, trigger guard and breech block, which are pulled down for loading. The trigger is mounted in the assembly. There is a tubular magazine in the buttstock that holds 50 percussion caps which are automatically spring fed onto the nipple, actuated by use of the breech block. The sporting rifle was made is various calibers, barrel lengths and weights. This particular rifle gauges at 41 caliber and features a heavy octagon barrel with a brass blade front sight and adjustable rear sight. The receiver, top of the breechblock, hammer, trigger guard/lever, buttplate tang and toe extension are engraved with floral scroll patterns with a wooded deer scene on each side of the receiver. There are patriotic motifs on the trigger guard and loop amid the scroll. The top of the breechblock is marked "PERRY PATENT ARM CO./NEWARK N.J." and the top front of the receiver "A.D. PERRY/PATENTED". There are three holes on each side of the receiver, possibly for a bridge mount rear sight at one time. The rifle is mounted with a highly figured walnut stock and matching forearm. The forend cap is silver plated brass, and the wedge escutcheon is silver; both are ornate and engraved with floral scroll designs. The stock wrist is checkered, with an ornate engraved eagle shield silver overlay on the cheekpiece and an extremely ornate, engraved silver overlay on the right side. The overlays features floral, scroll and feather designs, and at the buttplate there is a dog and bird scene. Complete with a cleaning rod mounted underneath the barrel.

Very good. The refinished barrel has a smooth brownish gray patina, and the remaining surfaces also have a smooth gray patina. The upper and lower tangs have been period repaired, and there are a couple of other repairs present on the stock wrist, which remains solid. The stock is a bit ill-fitting at the wrist, most likely due to the repairs made. Otherwise the wood is very good with a few minor handling marks and distinct checkering pattern. The forend cap shows strong original silver with the exposed brass having an aged patina. The silver overlays are very fine and are untouched and darkened with age. The engraving and markings are all crisp and clear. The hammer spring is a little weak; otherwise, the mechanics are fine. An extraordinary example of a very rare factory exhibition quality engraved Perry Patent Breech Loading rifle.