Fall 2023 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
November 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2023
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
EXTRAORDINARY US M1855 PERCUSSION PISTOL-CARBINE PRODUCED BY THE SPRINGFIELD ARSENAL
01-23488
Cal. 58
NSN
Bbl. 12”. This pistol-carbine is arguably one of the finest examples known to exist. It is also considered by many to be one of the most desirable & iconic of all the military arms produced by the United States. The total number manufactured at the Springfield Armory between 1855 & 1857 was a scant 4,021 pieces. The round barrel has a faceted breech and is marked “V” over “P” over eagle head on the left facet. The barrel tang stamped “1855”. Just to the rear of the date stamp is a 2-leaf rear sight graduated to 400 yards attached at the tang. At the muzzle, is an iron blade front sight on a slightly wider base.
The lockplate marked at the front “U.S. SPRINGFIELD”, and the rear “1855”. The hinged door of the Maynard primer system is marked with a spread-wing eagle with shield, grasping arrows & an olive branch. It is also important to note that the nipple bolster has a clean out screw just above the hinge. The trigger guard, butt cap, barrel band & nose cap are brass. Butt cap marked “7” just under the screw. This number matches the number “7” stamped in front of the screw on the brass attachment mechanism of the attachable stock. It is quite rare indeed to find these assembly numbers matching. The pistol has a swivel type steel ramrod with a concave button tip to facilitate use of the 58 caliber minie type bullet. The wood on the pistol, as well as the attachable stock, is fine walnut with prominent cartouches. The stock has a brass attachment device with a brass buttplate stamped “US” in front of the top screw.
There is a swivel at the rear base of the stock and of course, another at the barrel band of the pistol. Overall length of the pistol is 17 3/4″, and with the stock attached the overall length is 28 1/4″. The M1855 pistol-carbine was an innovative design created to be used as a pistol on horseback and as a carbine, with the stock attached, when dismounted. It was not particularly well received by the troops. Its descent into desuetude was hastened by the development of Colt revolvers with shoulder stocks.
STATUS: ANTIQUE
