Reportedly, 1,022 of these carbines were manufactured by Springfield in 1855-1856. They are the only Model 1855 series arms not equipped with the Maynard primer system and were also typically .54 caliber rather than .58. The barrel has blade front and three-leaf rear sight (absent leafs, modified), a ring on the bottom attached with a swivel mounted ramrod. No proofs or markings visible on the barrel. The lock has the federal eagle motif over "US" at center and "SPRING/FIELD/1855" at the tail. The trigger guard has the distinctive large sling ring on the rear of the bow. Aside from the brass forend cap, the furniture is iron, and the buttplate tang is marked "US".

Good, with applied brown finish overall, mild flash pitting underneath the finish at the breech, and absent barrel markings with rifling bored out to smoothbore. Absent rear sight leafs. The sanded and re-oiled stock is also good, with some scattered light dings and scratches, and a replacement spliced section visible behind the barrel tang. The lock spring is very weak but functional.