Perry Carbine
Perry Patent Arms Co. · Carbine · Discontinued · 1855
Also known as: Perry Patent Arms Carbine, Perry Navy Carbine, Perry Breechloading Percussion Carbine
Overview
The Perry Carbine is a .54 caliber single-shot percussion breech-loading carbine designed by Alonzo D. Perry and manufactured by the Perry Patent Arms Co. of Newark, New Jersey, in the mid-1850s. Its lever-actuated breechblock tilts to expose the chamber for loading, while a tubular magazine in the buttplate stores percussion caps and feeds them automatically to the nipple, allowing notably fast reloading for its era. The U.S. Navy ordered a small number of the long-frame Navy carbines, but only about 50 were accepted after repeated rejections by inspectors.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 940 mm (37.01") |
| Barrel Length | 527 mm (20.75") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Iron |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .54 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as 54 cal round ball, 13.7mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Manual Breech Loading
- Features: Lever Actuated Breechblock, Self Priming Cap Magazine, Tubular Cap Reservoir In Buttplate, Iron Furniture
Service history
Operators
- United States Navy · adopted 1856
Production
Estimated total produced: 250 · Production years: 1855-1857
Roughly 200-250 long-frame Navy-type carbines believed produced; the U.S. Navy ordered 150 in 1856 but accepted only about 50.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Alonzo D. Perry
Discontinued: 1857
Notes
The self-priming percussion cap reservoir housed in the buttplate was Perry's signature feature, intended to speed up the firing cycle compared with single-cap percussion arms. Reliability problems led the Navy to reject most deliveries.
Background
Alonzo D. Perry's breechloaders, including pistols, carbines, sporting rifles and even cane guns, were among the early American attempts at a practical self-priming breech-loading system. The U.S. Government purchased 200 of his breechloading guns on April 12, 1855, but persistent reliability issues kept the design from wide adoption.