Springfield Armory manufactured 4,021 of these distinctive, dual-purpose weapons in 1855-1857. Springfield Model 1855 pistol carbines are described on pages 273-277 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume III", with this exact carbine photographed on page 274. They are one of only three handguns manufactured at Springfield, with intent to provide the U.S. Cavalry and dragoon regiments with weapons that could be used as carbines for dismounted action and as pistols for use on horseback. The results were less than satisfactory, and they were also already rather outdated from their inception given Colt's Dragoon series which could also mount shoulder stocks but offered more shots and functioned better as handguns. Nonetheless, they are known to have been used into the Civil War, including by Confederate forces. This example is dated "1855" on the lock and barrel tang, and has standard markings and features. The rear of the pommel cap is marked "10" (faint). "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the lower left of the grip above the pommel cap. Includes leather sling, and shoulder stock marked "12" on the underside of the joint piece and "US" on the buttplate tang. Provenance: The George Moller Collection