CIVIL WAR Antique U.S. 1855 MAYNARD Pistol-Carbine 1 of ONLY 4,021 Made at SPRINGFIELD for CAVALRY

Product Description

CIVIL WAR Antique U.S. 1855 MAYNARD Pistol-Carbine

1 of ONLY 4,021 Made at SPRINGFIELD for CAVALRY

Here we present an antique Springfield Armory Model 1855 Pistol Carbine, made in 1856, five years prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Only 4,021 of these were made, making them very rare, especially considering that many would have been lost during the war. The concept was for all U.S. Army troops to have a common caliber, so that logistics would be simplified, and have a (massive) pistol that cavalry could use while mounted, with an attachable stock for use when on foot.

The chosen caliber was .58, and it utilized the cutting-edge cone-shaped Minié ball with the hollow base instead of ball. Also relatively new and short-lived was the Maynard tape priming system, to which Springfield had purchased the rights. Instead of directly priming the nipple by hand for each shot, the user would simply install a roll of paper percussion caps, and a single cap would be exposed, sheared and carried by the hammer to detonate on the nipple. Of course, the standard rifle percussion caps could also be used. The ramrod is captive on a swivel, so that it was not easily lost in the field, with a hollow tip for pushing the Minié ball.

All of these features were included in this compact package to be issued to Cavalry and some Artillery, and it sounded like a brilliant idea. Then U.S. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (soon to be President of the Confederate States of America) approved the adoption and production of the entire Model 1855 line of rifles, carbines and pistol carbines. However, reports from the field painted the pistol carbines as rather unwieldy, the tape primer system unreliable, and the carbine stock a detriment to accuracy. By this time, Colt had developed lines of very handy and reliable 6-shot revolvers and a plethora of breech-loading cartridge fed carbines would bring a swift end to production. Nevertheless, these very interesting weapons were very much utilized on both sides during the Civil War and are highly valued in the collector’s market today.

The Model 1855 is otherwise distinctive in U.S. Military firearms history for being the last single shot percussion pistol issued, as well as the only pistol other than the Model 1911 made in significant numbers by Springfield Armory.

This Model 1855 is dated “1856”. The “SPRINGFIELD” marking on the front of the lock is overstamped with “CSA”. The tape primer door is made of brass and crudely stamped “C.S/R”. The ramrod swivel is absent and the steel ramrod has a trumpet shaped tip.

The overall condition is good. The metal surfaces are dark with age. The markings are legible. The walnut stock is smooth and it has been repaired at the wrist, a common faultline on these pistols. The bore is in very good condition with clear rifling. The action is strong.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 12 inches.

Caliber: .58 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$2575
#5415

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Ancestry Guns considers all of our antique firearms 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 firearms sold by Ancestry Guns that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of Ancestry Guns' antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in “live” condition. They are sold as collector’s items for historical display. 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 Ancestry Guns you thereby release Ancestry Guns and its employees from any and all liability associated with use of our antique firearms.