3048

Very Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-Carbine with Attachable Stock

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:13,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Very Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-Carbine with Attachable Stock
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Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1855. This unique weapon featured an attachable buttstock that enabled it to be utilized as a carbine with the stock attached by the dismounted trooper or a pistol without the stock on horseback. The pistol-carbine was fitted with the Maynard self-priming device, four-leaf tang mounted rear sight graduated to 400 yards, a swivel-type ramrod with concave button tip for use with Minie type conical bullets, bolster clean-out screw, sling swivels on the barrel band and stock, and a lanyard ring on the buttcap. The forearm cap, barrel band, trigger guard, buttcap, stock yoke and butt plate are brass. The iron barrel, lock and back strap are finished "National Armory Bright". The stock and attachable buttstock are oil-finished black walnut. The lock plate and barrel tang are dated "1855". "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" is roll-stamped in two-lines on the front of the lock plate ahead of the tape primer door. The tape primer door is roll-stamped with the Springfield eagle/shield motif. The left side of the barrel is stamped with the Ordnance Department "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. The "U.S." property mark is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. The batch number "14" is stamped on the buttcap and the batch number "8" is stamped on the bottom of the stock yoke. A very faint, two-letter script Ordnance final inspection mark with oval border is stamped on the left stock flat. Springfield Armory manufactured 4,021 Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines in 1855 and 1856. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine were intended as replacements for the Model 1843 Hall Carbine and Model 1847 Cavalry Musketoon and was issued to the newly raised 1st and 2nd Cavalry regiments in conjunction with Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines remained in service through the early part of the Civil War. Nearly all of the surviving examples show wear associated with hard service. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine is a unique weapon that shares the distinction, along with the U.S. Model 1817 Flintlock Pistol and the Model 1911 Automatic Pistol, of being one of the three handguns manufactured by the Springfield Armory.
BBL: 12 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very fine. The barrel and lock plate are both crisp. There are traces of light pitting on the right side of the barrel and some scattered flash pitting on percussion nipple, bolster and adjacent areas of the barrel, hammer and lock plate. The Maynard tape primer is complete and fully functional. The barrel, lock plate and primer door markings are crisp and deep. The brass furniture has been polished long ago and has developed an attractive patina. The edges of the stock surrounding the lock plate, the left flat and the barrel channel are sharp. The stock grip has a barely noticeable repaired, hairline crack on either side of the back strap. The attachable stock is in very fine condition with minimal handling wear. This is an attractive example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine that is in far better condition than is typical for these weapons. It would be difficult to find a better example of this historic and important U.S. Cavalry carbine.