Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Starr Arms Model 1858 .44 caliber Double Action Army percussion revolver, serial numbered 7205 and accompanied by a modern locking display case with period style accessories. The revolver shows extensive service wear with a cleaned gray patina, retains numerous matching numbered components, and has a nonmatching cylinder numbered 10640. It remains substantially complete with its loading rammer, blade front sight, rear trigger safety, six percussion nipples, and a surprisingly strong bore.

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 Double Action Army was one of the more distinctive large frame percussion revolvers purchased by the U.S. military during the Civil War. Chambered in .44 caliber and fitted with a six shot cylinder, it used Starr’s unusual double action system and was followed by the simplified Model 1863 single action pattern.

This example is serial numbered:

7205

on the trigger guard beneath the grip, rear grip support, barrel frame, barrel beneath the loading rammer, butt of the grip frame, underside of the hammer, and on the frame beneath the hammer. The survival of the frame marking under the hammer is particularly notable, as this area is frequently worn.

The cylinder is nonmatching and is numbered:

10640

indicating that it was replaced at some point during the revolver’s service life.

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 exterior metalwork has worn to a light matte gray patina following years of oxidation and subsequent cleaning. Scattered remnants of old peppering and corrosion remain visible, and repeated cleaning has softened some edges and surface geometry. Wear is particularly evident around the loading rammer and muzzle area, though the major components remain intact.

The walnut grip remains in good overall condition but has been sanded and refinished at some point. Faint remnants of the original inspection cartouches can still be seen on the sides.

The barrel retains its correct dovetailed blade front sight, which shows noticeable wear from service and past cleaning.

The revolver currently cycles, but the action is notably worn. The trigger has difficulty engaging the hammer tumbler unless the hammer is first drawn back to the initial click. It will occasionally engage without assistance, but not consistently. The rear trigger safety remains present and moves freely.

The revolver can be disassembled in its normal manner for cleaning. The loading rammer operates, though its pivot shows considerable looseness. These mechanical observations describe only the present condition of the revolver and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The bore is in very good condition with strong lands and grooves and areas of bright surface remaining. Evidence of past fouling, oxidation, and cleaned peppering is visible, but the rifling remains significantly better preserved than the exterior condition might suggest.

All six percussion nipples remain installed and open. They show considerable surface oxidation, powder staining, and age related wear. The cylinder chambers also show residue and would benefit from conservation cleaning.

The revolver is accompanied by a recently made locking display case lined in burgundy velvet and measuring approximately:

14 5/8" x 6 5/8" x 2 1/4"

The case includes fitted compartments and is accompanied by a .44 caliber brass bullet mold, small copper and brass powder flask decorated with an American eagle motif, two lead bullets, and a tin of Remington percussion caps. The case key is included and the lock remains functional.

Overall condition of the revolver is that of a heavily service used Civil War sidearm with substantial exterior wear but surprisingly strong internal preservation. The cleaned gray patina, nonmatching cylinder, refinished grip, faded inspection cartouches, worn action, loose loading rammer pivot, oxidized nipples, and fouled cylinder chambers are all fully disclosed.

With its extensively matching serial number 7205, Starr patent and maker markings, Civil War era configuration, strong bore, surviving safety and loading assembly, and custom fitted case with accessories, this is an appealing example of the distinctive Starr Model 1858 Double Action Army revolver. It would fit especially well in a Civil War sidearm, Starr Arms, percussion revolver, or 19th century U.S. military firearms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1862-63
Maker: Starr Arms Co.
Model: 1858 Double Action Army
Serial No.: 7205
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.