Original Item. One Only. This is an excellent condition Civil War Star Arms Model 1858 Double Action Army Percussion revolver bearing the serial number of 5898, indicating production in mid 1862. This revolver was part of a production run of around 21,500 revolvers, delivered to the U.S. Army 1862-1863. 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.

All of the variations of the Starr Revolver carried six cartridges in the chambers. Our example has the serial number 5898 on the trigger guard under the grip, the rear grip support, the barrel frame, the barrel under the rammer, the cylinder, the end of the grip, and even on the underside of the hammer. There is also a FULLY LEGIBLE marking on the frame UNDER the hammer, which is almost always worn away. That makes this a fantastic "ALL MATCHING" revolver, with no parts swapped out over the years, and it's a great one!

Other Markings include-

- STARR ARMS, Co. NEW. YORK. found on left side of frame.
- STARR'S PATENT JAN 16. 1856. found on right side of frame.

The finish on this Starr shows many areas with the original heavily blued finish present, while other parts have faded to a nice gray patina. We almost always see these with all of the original bluing worn away, so this is definitely a real treat! It shows no signs of having been refurbished at any time, so it is ALL ORIGINAL patina.

The grip is in very good condition, with a very nice color, with some small dents and a gouge near the frame, but no major cracks or chips. It still has a legible cartouche on the both sides of the grip, a real rarity! It is marked with boxed script ADK cartouches on both sides, for Springfield Arsenal sub-inspector Andrew D. King, who worked 1850-1865 inspecting Colt 3rd Model Dragoon, Colt M1851 Colt M1861 and Starr Revolvers. He also is noted for inspecting Ames M1840 Heavy Dragoon Sabers, and this is the first time we have had a firearm inspected by him, though we have had many swords. The same cartouche on both sides of the grip is not common, as usually one is the mark of the sub-inspector, and the other from the accepting Ordnance Department officer or official. Some great research potential here!

The barrel still has the correct "blade" front sight in the dovetail, which is still intact with light wear. The bore is in excellent condition, and is most likely the best bore on a Starr that we have ever seen! It shows a fully bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and little sign that it was ever used! A 10 out of 10, which is almost unprecedented on a Starr! The cylinder still has all 6 original nipples, all of which are still clear.

The action cycles well, with none of the finicky behavior we usually see from revolvers of this age, most likely due to how little use it saw during the war. The safety on the rear of the trigger works as well, preventing the rear 'trigger' from being actuated when it is in the down position. The revolver properly breaks down for cleaning, and the loading rammer works great.

In truly great condition, this may be the best example we have ever seen in terms of bore condition, and the exterior is in lovely shape too! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 12 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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.

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