The Model 1855 pistol-carbines are one of only three handguns ever manufactured at Springfield; a distinction they share with the venerable Model 1911 semi-automatic and scarce U.S. Model 1817 flintlock. Springfield Armory manufactured 4,021 of these dual purpose pistol-carbines. They were designed with cavalrymen, light artillery, and other troops that rifle-muskets were too cumbersome for. They were first issued to the U.S. 1st Cavalry in the antebellum era and saw use in the West, including with the 1st Dragoons in the Southwest where they were reported as not suitable for dragoon use due to 18 of 45 examples becoming unserviceable after just 4 months of service. They were innovative weapons but were soon made obsolete by improved breechloading carbines, but they were pressed back into service at the beginning of the Civil War, mainly in smaller quantities with units from the Midwest. This example has the standard blade front sight, three-leaf rear sight graduated to 400 yards on the upper tang, "V/P/eagle head" proofs on the upper left at the breech, "1855" on the upper tang, "1856" on the tail of the lock, the eagle and shield motif on the Maynard primer door, "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" at the front of the lock, brass furniture, a cartouche on the left stock flat, "2" on the pommel, "7" on the stock collar, and "U.S." on the buttplate tang.

Very good with dark gray and brown patina on the lock and barrel along with minor pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, and general mild scratches and dings appropriate for a weapon possibly used in both the antebellum West and the Western Theater of the Civil War. The pistol stock is also very good and has a partially repaired crack visible through the wrist, mild scratches and dings like the metal, and a tension crack and minor flaking on the left flat. The buttstock is fine and has moderate scrapes and dings and nice grain texture. Mechanically excellent.