Manufactured in 1856. The Springfield Armory 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 cal expanding base bullet (Minie ball) and was fitted with the Maynard Tape Primer adopted for the 1855 series weapons. The bolster is equipped with a clean out screw, and the barrel is fitted with a steel swivel ramrod with a button head. The lock plate is dated "1856" behind the hammer and marked "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" ahead of the bolster. The Springfield eagle and shield motif is marked on the primer door. The barrel tang is dated "1855". "V/P/eagle head" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left rear barrel flat, and the stock has distinct "TJ" and "JSD" cartouches on the left flat. The buttcap is stamped with the batch number "1." It has a blade front sight and three leaf rear sight. Model 1855 Pistol Carbines were widely issued on the frontier before the Civil War and remained in service early in the Civil War until they were replaced with breech loading carbines. The Model 1855 Pistol Carbine is one of only three handguns ever manufactured by the Springfield Armory.