Springfield 1855 Carbine "Dragoon"

Depends on the price. I am always in the market for real pieces of history but there are a lot of rascals out there who are selling "aged" defarbed fakes but anything that is 150 years old has some value. The real determination factor is "what is it worth to YOU?" If you can confirm through serial numbers or other factors of authenticity that it is indeed as advertised and the price is acceptable to you then buy it. What does it matter what a bunch of internet wannabes think?

Supposedly only about 4000 were made. You'll want to examine it carefully to ensure it is actually original, as there are reproductions out there. As far as cleaning it up, I wouldn't, but I am basing that on opinion based on other original firearms rather than giving you a great reason. I am sure there are others here who could be more definitive on it than I.

There are some books out there that will give you a better idea of what an original looks like. I would do a thoroughly researched book over the internet for validating authenticity.

I'm too tough on iron to have too many historical pieces. I feel bad about my not brand new pre cross bolt safety Marlin but it's not rare even a little.

I would be all over a replica of that though. I always liked the idea of the Dragoon with a shoulder stock. Especially the ones you see pictures of with sights on the barrel. That would be right up my alley. maybe time to beg the namufacturers?

Info from Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, 9th Ed.

Bean counters are not just a modern phenomenon...

Why issue a trooper both a pistol AND a carbine when we can issue him ONE pistol-carbine and save all that money???

I like it. I think I would prefer a reproduction piece though so I could use and abuse it as was intended. Time to.go dig around on TOTW and see what I can find.

That would make a dandy brush gun for hogs!

There were some repros made...but I'd be tempted to get one custom-made to ensure good parts.

I played with one of these ( a repro), and I know why they were found to be "not completely satisfactory." They're ungainly and inaccurate. The "fun" factor is OK if someone else is loading it for you.

I have one with a stock, but it is getting exceedingly difficult to get the tape role caps for the pistol. I only have two tins containing maybe five roles of caps so I am now using musket caps until I can locate another supply.

You'll ruin any collector value if you "mend the cracks and clean off the rust". If you want one to play with, repros were made, buy one of them.

I have the Antonio Zoli repro of the carbine. Sights are the rreason they are not that accurate. I worked on mine a bit and now it shoots much better. I am down to a 5 inch group at 25 yds. Ungainly is a perfect adjective for the weapon.