Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was the last single shot pistol to be produced for the U.S. military. More than 4,000 were made, and at the time, it was the smallest .58 caliber pistol used in the army. It was based around the same Maynard "Tape Primer" system used on the M1855 musket, which kept a coiled tape containing primers, which were fed out when the hammer was cocked.

It was lighter because this pistol-carbine was built to use the newly designed smaller Minié bullet. It also was useful because normal rifle musket caps could be used on this firearm. Measuring 18" in overall length, the back strap is designed to attach to a removable shoulder stock, which were almost always lost over the years, such as on this example. It does have the inlets on the back strap for attachment of the stock, so one was definitely originally fitted, and probably discarded during the period.

This pistol-carbine was intended to be used as a pistol on horseback and a carbine on foot. When used as a carbine, it also had an awkward weight and balance. The butt stock was prone to split during the recoil and loosen over time. Because of these deficiencies and the availability of six-shot revolvers, this type of firearm quickly fell out of favor with U.S. troops. This, combined with the obviating of the use of the insufficiently waterproof Maynard tape primer, led to a very short service life, and examples are very hard to come by.

The pistol carbine is clearly dated 1856 on the lock plate tail, with a somewhat faint U.S. / SPRINGFIELD at the front of the lock plate, indicating production at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The door to the tape primer system still has a partial Federal Eagle stamping on top, and there is a clear 1855 on the barrel tang under the rear sight, the first year of production. All brass mounted, the pistol has a Swivel Ramrod to enable the Trooper easy reloading while still in the saddle.

It does appear that the steel components may have been blued at some point, which is still very well retained towards the front of the barrel, while the breech end and lock plate show peppered oxidation from corrosive powder residue. The V / P / Eagle's Head proofs on the barrel nocks form are present and still fully legible. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the tape primer door stays closed correctly with an intact spring. It also still has the connector to the tape primer system present, along with the other functional parts such as springs, and the feed pawl moves when the hammer is pulled back. The cap nipple cone is still in good shape, though the cleanout for the bolster is currently seized. We checked the lock, and it holds correctly at half cock, firing at full, though there does look to be a repaired crack in the hammer itself.

We checked the bore, and were not able to see any rifling, which is not surprising given that the bore now measures out to about 0.60", not the original 0.58". We do not know if this is from wear and cleaning, or if the pistol carbine was purposely smoothbored for some purpose. The captured ramrod still works well, and the lanyard ring on the butt cap is present and mobile, while the swivel under the barrel band is present, but rust frozen.

Over the pistol is in very good condition, having been cleaned by our expert antique gunsmiths to put it in its best light. the stock is lovely, showing the lovely red-brown color of aged and oiled walnut. There is a faint cartouche by the lower lock screw, but it is no longer legible. We also noted a crack by the rear lock screw at the breech, and al.so at the bottom of the grip by the butt cap. There are clear indentations in the wood from a butt stock being attached, so it was used in the carbine configuration for a time, which made stock cracks very common.

This Springfield Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine retains its distinctive Maynard tape-primer mechanism, swivel ramrod, lanyard ring, and clear government markings, along with visible evidence that a detachable shoulder stock was once fitted and used. The shoulder stock is no longer present, and the repaired hammer, stock cracks, frozen sling swivel, seized bolster cleanout, and enlarged or possibly smoothbored barrel are all plainly evident. Despite these condition issues, the lock and primer feed mechanism remain functional, making this an identifiable and substantially complete example of an unusual U.S. military pistol-carbine produced shortly before the Civil War.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1855 - 1856
Caliber: .58 inch Minié - worn to 0.60"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Tape Primer
Barrel Length: 12 inches
Overall Length: 18 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.