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Item:
ON11404

Original U.S. Civil War Era Springfield M-1855 Percussion Pistol Carbine with Shoulder Stock Cutout - dated 1856

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This U.S. Martial pistol is one of the most impressive of all! 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 19" in overall length, the back strap is cut for separate shoulder stock, which is unfortunately absent.

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 Lock is on this example marked U.S. / SPRINGFIELD with a Spread Eagle stamped into the Maynard tape primer's steel cover. It is dated 1856 on the lock plate tail, the year of production at Springfield Armory, in Springfield Massachusetts, and is also marked 1855 on the barrel tang, the year it was produced. All brass mounts the pistol has a Swivel Ramrod to enable the Trooper easy reloading while still in the saddle.

Steel parts all bright, not blued showing scattered minor old rust stains. The V / P / Eagle Head proofs are present and crisp, with almost no degradation. The bore shows original three groove rifling, with some powder fouling and oxidation. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. It also still has the connector to the Tape primer system working, though we do not know if it is still able to properly work with the primers.

Very unusual and hard to find, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1856
Caliber: .58 inch Minié
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Tape Primer
Barrel Length: 12 inches
Overall Length: 19 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.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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