Lot 3193

Very Scarce and Desirable U.S. Springfield 1855 Rifled Carbine

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Very Scarce and Desirable U.S. Springfield 1855 Rifled Carbine

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $3,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Scarce and Desirable U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Rifled Carbine 1,022 of these Model 1855 rifled carbines were manufactured by Springfield Armory between April and September of 1855, and eight companies of the U.S. Second Cavalry Regiment were armed with them as of 1858 according to "American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III" by George D. Moller on pages 268-272. Only a very small fraction of the total production survive today, as nearly all saw hard use on the frontier prior to the Civil War, mainly in Texas and New Mexico, and continued use throughout the Civil War. They are the only Model 1855 series arms not equipped with the Maynard primer system and were also typically .54 caliber rather than .58. Among the distinguishing features of these carbines is the trigger guard with a distinctive large sling ring on the rear of the bow and a ring on the bottom of the barrel attached with a swivel mounted ramrod. The barrel has a blade front sight and flip-up leaf notch rear sight, and the walnut stock has a brass forend cap and otherwise iron fittings. The lock has the federal eagle motif over "US" at the center and "SPRING/FIELD/1855" in three lines vertically at the tail, "V/P/eagle head" proofs at the upper left breech area of the barrel, "1855" dated barrel tang, and "US" marked on top of the buttplate.

Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S.

Model: 1855

BBL: 22 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: .54

Finish: bright

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very good, with mostly bright surfaces on the iron, bright golden patina on the brass forend cap, with evidence of light cleaning, light pitting, and distinct markings on the lock and barrel. The restored stock is also very good, with some dents and scratches, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000