The Perry Breechloading Pistol,First produced in 1855 Perry Alonzo of Newark, New Jersey, the Perry

The Perry Breechloading Pistol,First produced in 1855 Perry Alonzo of Newark, New Jersey, the Perry Arms single shot pistol was an interesting breechloader that was produced in limited numbers. The main feature of the Perry pistol was its breechloading mechanism. The trigger guard would act as a lever which when operated would cause the breech to pivot upwards for loading.The breech would have then been loaded with gunpowder and a bullet, or more likely a paper cartridge containing the same. The breech was then closed, and a percussion cap was placed on the nipple for firing.The Perry Breechloading pistol was produced in a number of calibers. Around 200 were produced in 1855 for a government contract, most of which would be issued to the US Navy during the Civil War. Several hundred others were sold on the civilian market. After the Civil War Perry Arms Co. would produced breechloading metallic cartridge carbines which were popular with hunters and target shooters. -- source link

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