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Hi, Blake7,
The Model 1855 pistol-carbine was made by Springfield Armory in 1855-1857. It had long been discontinued by 1862. The 4021 number is correct. Like the Model 1855 Rifle Musket, it had the Maynard tape primer, although it could be (and usually was) used with standard musket caps. It was intended for "dragoon" troops who rode horses to battle but, unlike cavalry, fought on foot. It was to be used as a pistol when the user was mounted, as a carbine when he was on foot. It, the Model 1817, and the Model 1911 were the only pistols ever made at Springfield. The original finish was "armory bright", again like the 1855 rifle musket.
There was a special cartridge issued which had (I think) a 40 grain charge instead of the musket's 60 grain. Even with 40 grains the recoil is significant, and even with the stock and the 12" barrel, the muzzle is not far enough from the face to avoid muzzle blast. (Yes, I have fired one, but not a lot, for the reasons given.)
In spite of the small number made, many survive in good condition as they were rarely issued in the Civil War and mostly escaped both heavy use and war damage. Flayderman gives a good condition price of $1200 and a fine condition price of $3700 for the gun alone. The separate prices for the shoulder stock alone are about the same.
Warning: These have been reproduced and shoulder stocks alone have been reproduced. Any would-be purchaser should examine an offered gun or stock very carefully.
Jim
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