Perrin Model 1859
L. Perrin · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1859
Also known as: Perrin M1859, Perrin Model 1860, Perrin DA Revolver
Overview
The Perrin Model 1859 is a French double-action-only revolver designed by Louis Perrin and manufactured in Paris. It was one of the earliest revolvers chambered for a self-contained metallic centerfire cartridge, the 12mm Perrin, and featured a six-shot cylinder, a spurless hammer that could only be fired by the long trigger pull, and an innovative ejector rod hidden inside the cylinder arbor. Roughly 550 examples were purchased by the United States Government and saw use during the American Civil War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 850 g (30.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 290 mm (11.42") |
| Barrel Length | 146 mm (5.75") |
| Action Type | Double Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Cylinder |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Burnished |
Calibers
- 12mm Perrin · primary — also known as 12mm CF, 12mm Perrin centerfire
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Block
- Features: Double Action Only, Spurless Hammer, Hidden Ejector Rod, Open Top Frame, Self Contained Metallic Cartridge
Variants
- Perrin Type I — Open Top Frame
- Perrin Type III — Top Strap Frame
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1862
- French Army
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Production years: 1859-1865
Approximately 550 revolvers were delivered to the US Government via arms speculator Alexis Godillot between January and May 1862; total French production is not documented in accessible sources.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Louis Perrin
Notes
Collectors group surviving examples into three Types: Types I and II use an open-top frame while the later Type III adds a top strap. Barrels typically ran between 5.5 and 6.5 inches. The 12mm Perrin centerfire cartridge is distinct from and not interchangeable with the later 12mm Galand.
Background
Patented in France in 1859 by Louis Perrin and Delmas, the Perrin was a pioneering centerfire cartridge revolver at a time when most handguns were still cap-and-ball. Marked on the barrel 'L. Perrin Bte a Paris 51 Rue Lafitte', a few hundred were shipped across the Atlantic to arm Union troops during the American Civil War.