Springfield 1855 Carbine,Created for cavalry, mounted infantry, and artilleryman, the Springfield 18

Springfield 1855 Carbine,Created for cavalry, mounted infantry, and artilleryman, the Springfield 1855 carbine was made to provide an arm that was lighter and more compact than a musket, but bigger and more practical for combat than a pistol.  Springfield Armory’s solution was to create a slightly large than usual percussion pistol that came with a detachable buttstock.  The carbine used the Maynard Tape System, a system in which a tape, similar to roll caps for a cap gun, was used as the ignition system.  It also featured a rifled barrel and used the newly invented minie ball, which was supposed to increase accuracy.Most Springfield 1855 carbines were issued to dragoons, mounted infantry who would ride to the battlefield, but once in combat dismounted and fought as infantry.  As a pistol it was wieldy enough for a the user carry and use on horseback.  Once dismounted the soldier could snap on the buttstock and use it as a carbine.  Unfortunately this system was only good in theory.There were serious flaws in the Model 1855.  As a pistol the weapon was too awkward to fire from the hand.  As a carbine it was too inaccurate for serious infantry combat.  The short barrel could not provide the velocity or stabilization to match a regular musket.  The buttstock also tended to loosen when fired and in some cases the pistol grip would break off due to the recoil.  Finally the Model 1855 had a ramrod that was integrally attached to the muzzle on a hinge. This often made the ramrod difficult to use when reloading, especially in the heat of battle.  As a result the Springfield 1855 Carbine fell into disfavor and only 4,000 were produced. -- source link

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