Original Item: Only One Available. This is an especially desirable first-year dated U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine, one of the most unusual U.S. martial arms of the percussion era and the last single-shot military pistol produced at Springfield Armory. Manufactured in relatively small numbers, the Model 1855 combined a massive .58 caliber percussion pistol with a detachable shoulder stock, allowing it to serve as a mounted pistol or short carbine. This example is dated 1855 on both the lock and barrel tang and, remarkably, retains a functional Maynard tape primer mechanism with an old original roll of primer tape still inside the compartment. The detachable shoulder stock and lanyard ring are no longer present, and the bore has been worn or altered to approximately .64 caliber, but the pistol remains mechanically functional and displays extremely well.

The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was developed during an experimental period when the U.S. Army was attempting to combine increased firepower, portability, and improved ignition systems into new arms for mounted troops.

More than 4,000 were produced at Springfield Armory, making the pattern considerably scarcer today than the standard infantry muskets manufactured during the same period.

The pistol-carbine used the same Maynard tape primer system incorporated into the Model 1855 rifle musket. Rather than requiring the soldier to manually place an individual percussion cap on the nipple for every shot, the system used a coiled strip of paper carrying small primer charges. Cocking the hammer advanced the tape and positioned a fresh primer over the nipple.

The concept was ingenious, but the paper primer strip was vulnerable to moisture and contamination in military service. Importantly, the arm could still be fired using conventional percussion caps when necessary.

This example is particularly interesting because the Maynard system remains substantially intact.

The primer door retains a crisp Federal Eagle on its exterior, and the internal linkage and feed components are still present.

There is even an old roll of primer tape inside the compartment.

The tape appears as though it may have been installed backwards, but it is now extremely delicate and we have deliberately made no attempt to reposition it.

The feed pawl moves when the hammer is cocked, although it no longer positively advances the tape because the individual primer blisters have deteriorated away.

The lock remains mechanically functional, holding correctly at half cock and releasing from full cock.

The lockplate is faintly dated [18]55 at the tail, while the forward portion is clearly marked U.S. / SPRINGFIELD.

The barrel tang beneath the rear sight is also clearly dated 1855, confirming the first-year date of the arm.

The barrel nocks form retains the expected Federal proof markings V / P / Eagle Head, all of which remain fully legible.

The pistol is brass mounted and retains its original swivel ramrod, an especially practical feature for mounted use because it prevented the ramrod from being lost while loading from horseback.

The firearm measures approximately 18 inches overall with a 12 inch barrel.

The rear backstrap contains the correct recesses and attachment points for the detachable shoulder stock.

That stock is now missing, as is frequently the case with surviving examples. The rear of the grip shows staining and wear consistent with repeated attachment and removal of the stock.

The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was intended to function as a pistol while mounted and, with the shoulder stock attached, as a short carbine when fighting dismounted.

In practice, the arrangement had drawbacks.

The weapon was relatively large and awkward as a pistol, while its balance was less than ideal when fitted with the stock. The detachable stock could also loosen with repeated use, and the wrist area was vulnerable to stress.

At the same time, practical six-shot revolvers were becoming increasingly available, making a single-shot combination pistol-carbine less attractive to mounted troops.

Those shortcomings, together with dissatisfaction with the Maynard tape primer system, contributed to the weapon’s relatively brief service life.

The steel components on this example are now bright rather than blued and show evidence of earlier oxidation that was subsequently cleaned away.

There is old powder burning around the percussion nipple area, which appears to have been smoothed somewhat during past cleaning.

The nipple itself remains in good condition.

The cleanout screw in the bolster is currently seized.

The pistol was carefully cleaned by our antique gunsmiths to present it in its best condition while preserving the remaining markings and original character.

The walnut stock shows considerable evidence of long service.

There are wood graft repairs on the left side of the wrist and at the lower edge of the lockplate.

There is also an unrepaired crack behind the lockplate.

The back of the grip shows staining and wear from the now-missing detachable shoulder stock.

The original lanyard ring is also absent.

The bore presents another interesting feature.

The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was originally manufactured as a .58 caliber rifled arm, but we are unable to see any remaining rifling in this example.

The bore now measures approximately .64 caliber.

It is unclear whether this resulted simply from extreme wear and later cleaning or whether the barrel was deliberately bored smooth at some point during its long service life.

Without documentation, we cannot determine when or why this alteration occurred.

Despite these condition issues, the pistol remains a particularly compelling survivor.

The combination of an 1855 dated Springfield lock and barrel, functional percussion action, surviving Maynard tape primer mechanism, actual original primer roll, crisp Federal eagle primer door, swivel ramrod, Federal proof marks, and visible shoulder-stock attachment system makes this a highly interesting example of an already scarce American martial arm.

For the collector, the Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine represents one of the most unusual transitional weapons produced by Springfield Armory immediately before the Civil War. It combines the traditional single-shot muzzleloader with experimental automatic priming and a detachable shoulder stock at precisely the moment when revolvers and breechloaders were beginning to transform military firearms.

This would make an excellent addition to an advanced U.S. martial arms, Springfield Armory, Maynard tape primer, cavalry, pre-Civil War, or Civil War era firearms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1855
Caliber: Originally .58 inch Minié, bore now measures approximately .64"
Ammunition Type: Lead Projectile & Powder with Maynard Tape Primer or Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 12 inches
Overall Length: 18 inches
Action: Percussion Lock with Maynard Tape Primer System
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

Editorial Notes

The original draft states that the Model 1855 was the smallest .58 caliber pistol used by the Army. I would omit that claim unless we have a specific contemporary source supporting the comparison.

The description of the pistol as first-year production is reasonable because both the lock and barrel tang are dated 1855, the first year of manufacture for the pattern.

The bore condition is unusual enough to call out clearly. At approximately .64 caliber with no visible rifling, the barrel is no longer in its original .58 caliber rifled configuration. Whether this was caused by extreme wear, aggressive cleaning, or a deliberate period smoothbore alteration cannot be established from the arm alone.

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