Only 1,020 of these carbines were manufactured in 1855 and 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 sights, a ring on the bottom attached with a swivel mounted ramrod, "V/P/eagle head" markings at the breech, and "1855" on the tang. 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 and a removable collector's marking on the bow. Aside from the brass forend cap, the furniture is iron, and the buttplate tang is marked "US."

About good exhibiting some partially smoothed out mild pitting over bright metal, light aged patina on the forend cap, and general minor wear. The heavily sanded and refinished wood is fair and has some minor dings and scratches, chip at the barrel tang, and minor gaps at some of the mortises. Mechanically excellent.