Springfield Armory manufactured 4,021 of these dual purpose pistol-carbines. They were designed to be used as pistols by mounted cavalrymen and as carbines when they dismounted but did not prove satisfactory due to their limited rate of fire, poor accuracy, and awkward dimensions as pistols. The Maynard tape priming system was also found to be a weak spot and was abandoned by the U.S. military after the Model 1855 series. While these aspects proved to undermine the system and made their production run short, it has made them particularly desirable collector's items. They are one of only three handguns ever manufactured at Springfield; a distinction they share with the venerable Model 1911 and Model 1817 flintlock. Nonetheless, most surviving examples make it clear that these weapons saw hard use into the Civil War era. This example has the standard markings and features, including "1855" dates on the tail of the lock and the barrel tang. It is fitted with a shoulder stock with an added, possibly period made, brass panel inletted on the right side that has been left blank.

Good. The iron has been cleaned back to bright and has mild pitting while the brass has aged patinas. The fine quality replacement pistol stock has slight cracking at the nose of the lock and front of the left flat, no visible cartouche, and some minor marks. The shoulder stock has some bruising, absent attaching bolt nut, and some strike marks. The markings are mostly crisp. Mechanically excellent.