The Springfield Armory only manufactured 4,021 of these distinctive weapons between 1855-1857. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was intended to provide the U.S. Cavalry and Dragoon regiments with a weapon that could be utilized as a carbine for dismounted action when fitted with the stock and a pistol for use on horseback with the stock removed. The carbine was designed to fire the newly introduced .58 caliber expanding base bullet (Minie ball) and was fitted with the Maynard tape primer adopted for the 1855 series weapons. The round barrel has an iron front sight blade, a two-leaf folding rear sight graduated to 400 yards on the tang, a bolster with cleanout screw, and a swivel ramrod with concave button tip. The left barrel flat is stamped with "V/P/eaglehead" proof marks, and the tang is dated "1855" ahead of the rear sight. The lock plate has a magazine for Maynard tape primers. The lock plate is dated "1855" behind the hammer and marked "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in front of the primer door. The primer door is marked with the eagle and shield motif. The buttcap has a sling ring, and the stock and barrel band are fitted with sling swivels. The pistol stock and detachable stock are oil finished black walnut. The assembly number "3" is stamped on the buttcap and stock hardware. "U.S." is stamped on the top of the buttplate tang. "JT" and "ESA" cartouches are on the left pistol stock flat, and the right side of the wrist and comb of the buttstock are stamped with "10". The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines were issued to the U.S. Cavalry and Dragoon regiments on the pre-Civil War frontier but were soon replaced with Colts. Nonetheless, these pistol-carbines were issued during the early part of the Civil War by volunteer cavalry units, and few remain in high condition along with their original matching stock like this one. Provenance: The Eric Vaule Collection; The David Aroh Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine overall with mostly bright lock and barrel with some faint pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, raised grain on both stocks along with smooth finish, and generally only very minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically excellent. This is certainly one of the finest Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines that still retains its original shoulder stock, and it is a very solid representative example of one of just three pistol models manufactured by the Springfield Armory.