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Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-Carbine with Matching Stock

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-Carbine with Matching Stock
Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1855. The carbine has matching assembly number "16" on the butt and stock yoke. One of only three handguns manufactured by Springfield Armory; the distinctive Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was issued as a detachable stock carbine to the 1st and 2nd Cavalry regiments in conjunction with the Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver. Springfield Armory manufactured 4021 of these unique weapons between 1855 and 1857. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine continued to be issued to Federal volunteer cavalry regiments during the first year of the Civil War. The carbine has a "National Armory Bright" finish on the barrel, ramrod, lock and backstrap. The forend cap, barrel band and trigger guard/buttcap are brass. The stock is oil-finished black walnut. The oil-finished detachable stock has a brass buttplate, sling swivel base and yoke. The pistol-carbine has a steel blade front sight, swivel ramrod with concave face, steel sling swivel on the barrel band and steel sling ring on the butt. The pistol-carbine has a folding, three-leaf, rear sight graduated from 100-400 yards. The lock is fitted with the Maynard Tape Primer with hinged primer magazine door and has a bolster with clean-out screw. The stock has a steel sling swivel on a brass mount. The lock plate is dated "1855" behind the hammer and "U.S./SPRINGFIELD" in two lines ahead of the primer door. The primer door is stamped with the Eagle/Shield motif. The barrel tang is dated "1855". The left barrel flat is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. A two-letter, script, final inspection mark with rectangular border and rounded corners is stamped on the left stock flat. "U.S." on the heel of the buttplate.
BBL: 12 In
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: bright
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very good plus. The 'National Armory Bright' barrel, ramrod, lock, and backstrap have not been cleaned and have a gray-brown patina with scattered age discoloration. There is some minor flash-pitting on the nipple bolster and adjacent portions of the barrel. The muzzle has some discoloration due to professional repair of the front sight and associated heat discoloration. The eagle and shield motif of the primer door is, typically, lightly stamped. The other barrel and lock markings are crisp and deep. The brass furniture on the pistol and stock has not been polished and has a mellow age patina. The Maynard Tape-Primer mechanism is complete and fully functional. The pistol stock is in very good overall condition with slightly rounded edges on both flats, compression marks on the grip from the stock yoke and a hair-line crack on the right side that runs from the lock to the backstrap. The detachable stock is in fine overall condition with light to moderate handling marks. Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines saw hard service and are usually found in 'fair' to 'good' condition. This is a superior example of a Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine in very good condition with rarely encountered matching assembly or lot numbers on the grip strap and stock yoke.