This is a fine example of a U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine with detachable stock. The carbine has a swivel ramrod with concave head, steel blade front sight, folding, three-leaf rear sight graduated to 400 yards, sling swivel on the barrel band and detachable stock and sling ring on the pistol butt. The lock is fitted with the Maynard tape priming device and a bolster with removable cleanout screw. The barrel, ramrod, lock, hammer, tang sling swivels and sling ring are 'National Armory Bright'. The forend cap, barrel band, trigger guard, buttcap, stock yoke and buttplate are brass. The pistol stock and detachable stock are oil-finished black walnut. The lock plate is dated "1856" behind the hammer and stamped "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines ahead of it. The Maynard tape primer door is stamped with the eagle and shield motif. The barrel tang is dated "1855". The left barrel flat is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. The Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of two script initials in a rectangle with rounded corners is stamped on the left stock flat. The assembly number "1" is stamped on the brass butt. The detachable stock is stamped with the assembly number "3" on the lower tang and "US" on the heel of the buttplate in front of the buttplate screw. Springfield Armory manufactured 4,021 Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines between 1855 and 1857. Most of these pistol-carbines were issued to the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Regiments. The pistol-carbines were issued as carbines in conjunction with percussion revolvers and continued to be issued to Federal cavalry regiments well into the Civil War.

Fine. The barrel swivel ramrod, tang, hammer, lock plate sling swivels and sling ring are bright with scattered age discoloration. There is some light flash pitting on the barrel near the nipple bolster. The Maynard tape primer is complete and functional. The barrel and lock markings are sharp. The eagle and shield motif on the primer door is clear. The brass furniture on the hand detachable stock has been polished and is in very good condition. The stock is also in fine condition with sharp edges on the flats and a legible final; inspection mark. There is a barely noticeable hair line crack that extends completely thru the lower grip. The left side of the stock has a number of small dents that extend from the buttcap to the rear side plate screw. The detachable stock is in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines were apparently all issued and saw service, most surviving examples show moderate to heavy wear. This is a solid example of one of only three handguns ever manufactured at Springfield Armory.