This pistol-carbine was manufactured in 1855 by Springfield Armory. They manufactured 4,021 of these pistol-carbines c. 1855-1857. This pistol-carbine features an attachable buttstock, rifled .58 caliber barrel with two-leaf folding rear sight graduated to 400 yards, steel, swivel-type ramrod with concave tip for Minie bullet, Maynard tape primer, clean-out screw on the bolster, sling ring on the buttcap and sling swivels on the upper barrel band and buttstock. The barrel, lock, ramrod and swivels are "National Armory Bright". The oil-finished, American walnut, attachable stock and pistol stock have a brass, forend tip, barrel band, trigger guard, buttcap, brass stock yoke and buttplate. The pistol has a steel back strap slotted to accept the attachable buttstock. The lock plate is dated "1856" behind the hammer and roll-stamped "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines in front of the primer door. The primer door is roll-stamped with the Springfield Armory eagle and shield motif. The barrel tang is dated "1855" ahead of the rear sight and the left side of the barrel is stamped with "V/P/eagle head" proof and inspection marks. The assembly or batch number "16" is stamped on the buttcap, and the assembly number "12" is stamped on the underside of the stock yoke (Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine stocks and pistols are stamped with assembly numbers from 1-20; the numbers rarely match). The heel of the buttplate is marked "US". A unique design, the Model 1855 pistol-carbine was intended as a replacement for the Model 1847 musketoon and Hall carbine and was issued in conjunction with a revolver. Model 1855 pistol-carbines saw hard service on the frontier and many remained in service during the first year of the Civil War. The Model 1855 pistol-carbine, the Model 1817 flintlock pistol and the Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol were the only handguns manufactured by the Springfield Armory.

Very good plus. The barrel, lock, hammer and back strap have a smooth bright finish with traces of aged patina. The percussion nipple bolster, hammer and adjacent portions of the barrel show only very minor flash pitting. The date and Springfield markings on the lock plate are clear. The eagle and shield motif on the primer magazine door has been polished and is faint. The inspection marks and date on the barrel and tang are clear. The ordnance final inspection mark usually found on the left barrel flat is not visible. The brass furniture is also very good. The brass has been polished at some point but has begun to develop a good looking patina. The pistol stock is very good overall. The edges of the lock mortise, barrel channel and left flat are sharp. Wear on the pistol stock and attachable buttstock is mostly limited to some minor handling marks. There is a hairline crack in the right side of the stock that runs from the end of the lockplate to the steel back strap. The Maynard tape primer is complete and functional. This is an attractive example of an important and distinctive U.S. martial arm.