US Pre Civil War, M1855 Springfield Pistol-Carbine, 1856, Maynard Tape Primer

Original era manufacture. A decent example of a scarce US martial pistol designed as a two-fer for the US Cavalry prior to the Civil War. As an old friend once described it; neither fish nor fowl, being cumbersome and unwieldly when used as a pistol, and equally problematic when fitted with its detachable stock for use as a carbine.Around 4,000 of these were produced by Springfield before the arsenal moved on to better things.This example has an 1856 dated lockplate, with hinged door for the Maynard Tape Primer, which remains intact and moves when the hammer is cocked. The lock internals need work, as the hammer sort-of holds on halfcock, and not at all on full cock.Matching 1855 date on the barrel tang, with all of the steel components exhibiting a pleasing old dark steel patina finish. Intact and operable captive ramrod and swivel. When you insert your finger into the barrel you can still feel faint rifling remaining. The brass fittings are complete and exhibit a pleasing patina finish, the butt displays the assembly number 17. The stock exhibits a dark finish, with a decent luster to the surface, not all dried out and ugly looking. On the underside of the stock, forward of the lock is a sizable divet in the wood, measuring about 36 mm in length, and at its widest point, 12 mm. The remainder of the stock is fine, just the normal minor dings and dents from the past 150 years. There is a thin crack in the wood extending from the upper lock screw, back to the beginning of the curve of the gripWhile not the prettiest mare in the stable, it nonetheless remains very attractive looking and certainly realistically priced for its type.