Perrin 1865/69 Revolver

[Aragorn243]

I have the opportunity to pick one of these up at what I believe to be a reasonable price. The problem is, I can't verify they were ever used militarily and that's one of my requirements for collecting.

I have numerous references from auction sites stating these were private purchase by French officers in the Franco Prussian war.

I know this revolver lost out to the officially adopted revolver of the time even though it looks like a better design, probably more expensive.

All my firearms books that cover French arms begin at 1900.

Everyone says they are rare. The few examples I've found for sale online are anywhere from $1200-$2400. For the price they have it at, I'm considering getting it anyway if it at least has an interesting history behind it.

It's too late for the Civil War, Perrins were used by the Confederates, but it was the model preceding this one, the 1859. Too early for WWI.

The seller even says they were used by French officers from the 1870's to 1880's.

Some links with photos I've found:

Perrin Model 1865 D.A. Revolver | 1898andB-4.com

Révolver PERRIN modèle 1865-69-renforcé. D2 | Aiolfi G.b.r.

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