Fine US Model 1855 Pistol Carbine with Matching Numbered Stock

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 12" barrel secured by a single flat brass, spring retained band. NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading pistol carbine with Maynard's patent automated priming lock, multi-leaf rear sight, Barleycorn front sight, captive swivel ramrod, sling swivel on barrel band and sling ring in butt. Lock marked U.S./SPRINGFIELD at the front and dated 1856 at the rear, with a {Spread-Winged American Eagle} on the primer magazine door. Breech with small V/P/{Eagle Head} inspection marks and dated 1855 on the tang. Mismatched dates are common on these guns as most of the barrels were made prior to the lock being produced. A clear script JS cartouche is present on the counterpane, the mark of Springfield Armory inspector James Stillman. The rear of the butt cap has the batch mating number 13 on it. The pistol carving retains its original folding 3-leaf rear sight, which retains most of its blued finish. The pistol carbine is accompanied an original detachable stock complete with the attachment yoke and swivel in the toe. These stocks are less often encountered than the pistol carbines themselves. The top of the buttplate tang is marked US and the yoke has the matching batch mating number 13. Matching pistol and stock examples are rarely encountered. The US Model 1855 Pistol Carbine was a European inspired idea that mated an overly long and ungainly handgun with a detachable stock, creating a poorly handling pistol or an overly short carbine with a wobbly stock. As such, the design was not particularly popular with the men they were issued to. Only 4,021 of these awkward and relatively unpopular pistol carbines were produced at Springfield between 1855 and 1857 and today they are relatively scarce, particularly in such nice condition. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Fine. Bore good, moderately oxidized with some pitting and decent rifling. Metal lightly cleaned with a medium pewter patina and clear markings. Some lightly scattered surface oxidation and discoloration is present here and there as well as a couple of nicks and mars. Mechanically functional lock, including the tape priming system. Wood fine, retaining strong edges and lines and showing some scattered bumps, dings and mars. Grip a tight and very difficult to see hairline crack that is often found in these guns and showing the impression of the stock yoke, which is common. Stock fits well, but exhibits some wobble when affixed, which was one of the design flaws in the system.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

October 17, 20, 21, or by appointment. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact [email protected] or see our Shipping/Packing page.

Fine US Model 1855 Pistol Carbine with Matching Numbered Stock

American Civil War

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Fine US Model 1855 Pistol Carbine with Matching Numbered Stock

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup