M1855 Dragoon Pistol

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	Weapon: M1855 Dragoon Pistol Type: Muzzle-Loading Pistol Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1855 Caliber: .58 Minie Action: Percussion Overall Length (mm): 356.0 Weight (kg): 1.00 Effective Range (m): 50

The M1855 Dragoon Pistol was a percussion cap pistol issued to U.S. cavalry units in the mid-19th century. It was designed for use by dragoons-mounted infantrymen who often fought on foot but also needed a reliable firearm while mounted. The pistol was part of a series of firearms issued to dragoons, offering a powerful .58 caliber shot.

Adopted in 1855, the Dragoon Pistol was used primarily during the U.S. Civil War, where it saw service with both Union and Confederate cavalry units. Its large caliber made it a potent weapon, but its single-shot, muzzle-loading mechanism limited its rate of fire compared to emerging revolvers. Despite this, the pistol remained a standard sidearm for many cavalrymen throughout the war.

The M1855 Dragoon Pistol is remembered as a symbol of the early U.S. cavalry and its role in westward expansion and the Civil War. It was eventually phased out as more advanced revolvers became standard, but it remains a historically significant firearm from the period.