Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Starr Arms Model 1858 .44 caliber Double Action Army percussion revolver with low matching serial number 1128. The same serial number is present on the upper frame, barrel beneath the rammer, cylinder, trigger guard beneath the grip, rear grip support, grip, and even the underside of the hammer, making this an exceptionally complete matching example.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Starr Model 1858 was an early American double action military percussion revolver and saw use during the Civil War. This example carries the low serial number:

1128

and appears to date from early production, before the much larger wartime contracts that followed. This puts it in the first 5-6% of the Double Action production, which ended after approximately 21454 were produced.  After this, starting at serial number 23,000, they moved to the requested Single Action Model of 1863, which cost HALF of what the earlier model did. This model also replaced the 6 inch barrel with a longer 8 inch barrel.

Serial number 1128 is present on the lower front portion of the upper frame, barrel beneath the loading rammer, cylinder, trigger guard beneath the grip, rear grip support, grip, and underside of the hammer. The frame beneath the hammer also retains a clearly legible marking in an area that is often heavily worn.

The principal factory markings remain clearly visible. The left side of the frame is marked:

STARR ARMS, Co. NEW. YORK.

while the right side is marked:

STARR'S PATENT JAN 16. 1856.

The revolver has an overall worn gray patina with scattered evidence of light old peppering, but no major deep pitting or severe oxidation is noted. Small traces of original blue finish remain beneath the barrel and around the barrel serial number. The metal does not show obvious evidence of a later full refinish, and the present surface has an attractive naturally aged appearance.

The wooden grip remains in very good condition with a pleasing aged color, though it appears to have been refinished at some point. There is some wood loss along the edges, and the original geometry has been softened somewhat from wear and refinishing.

The barrel retains its correct blade front sight in the dovetail, which remains secure with only light wear. The bore is excellent for its age, with a bright surface, strong lands and grooves, and visible machining marks within the grooves. Only one small area of old fouling or oxidation is noted.

The six shot cylinder retains all six original percussion nipples. They remain clearly defined and in very good condition overall, with only one showing repeated evidence of hammer strikes.

The action presently cycles smoothly and with less of the finicky behavior often encountered on heavily used antique percussion revolvers. The rear trigger safety is present and, when functioning correctly, prevents actuation of the rear trigger when placed in the down position; however, the safety is currently stuck. The revolver also breaks down correctly for cleaning, and the loading rammer operates properly. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the revolver is safe to load or fire.

With its low matching serial number 1128, extensive matching serialized components, clearly legible Starr factory and patent markings, bright strong bore, complete six nipple cylinder, and smooth functioning action, this is an especially appealing early Starr Model 1858 Double Action Army revolver. The refinished grip, worn gray patina, scattered peppering, one repeatedly struck nipple, and stuck rear trigger safety are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Starr Arms, Civil War revolver, early American double action, percussion handgun, or advanced U.S. martial arms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1858-1859
Maker: Starr Arms Co.
Model: 1858 Double Action Army
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 12 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

More on the Starr Percussion Revolver:

Generally there are three models of Starr revolvers:

1863 Single Action .44 Caliber Percussion Army Revolver (produced 1863-1864) [23000 produced]

1858 Double Action .36 Caliber Percussion Navy Revolver (produced 1859-1860) [3000 produced]

1858 Double Action .44 Caliber Percussion Army Revolver (produced 1862-1863) [~21454 produced]

History of the STARR ARMS COMPANY Revolver-

About 23,000 double-action Starr revolvers were manufactured in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Of these, most were purchased by the U.S. Army. Starr revolvers, in both single-and double-action models, represented over 12 percent of the side arms issued to Union cavalry troops. Only Colt and Remington revolvers were more frequently encountered in the hands of Northern soldiers.

Starr revolvers were invented by Eben Townsend Starr of New York City, grandson of Nathan Starr and son of Nathan Starr, Jr., famous U. S. swordmakers and riflemakers of Middletown, Connecticut. This model is marked on the right side of its frame "STARR'S PATENT JAN. 15, 1856.", and on the left side, "STARR. ARMS. Co. NEW YORK." The patent date refers to E. T. Starr's U. S. Patent 14,118 for a self-cocking percussion pepperbox. His U.S. Patent 30,843, December 4, 1860, was for his double-action revolver.

Starr firearms were made at Yonkers, Binghamton, and Morrisania, New York, from 1858 to 1867. The New York City address referred to the Starr Arms Company store and office at 267 Broadway. Starr double-action .44 caliber revolvers, with serial numbers from 1 to about 23,000, were manufactured first, and Starr single-action .44 caliber revolvers, with serial numbers from about 23,000 to about 54,000, last.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.