Original Items: Only one set Available. This is a lovely patinated condition Civil War revolver bearing the serial number of 25817, indicating production in late 1863. This revolver was part of a 25,000 contract issued by the Union Army in October 1863 for delivery over 12 months beginning with serial number 23,000.

This model featured a "single action" trigger, meaning each shot required the hammer to be set in the cocked position manually, unlike the Starr Model of 1858 that was a "double action" weapon. This ended up being more utilitarian, as it was often hard to accurately aim while also pulling the trigger to cock the weapon. The Model of 1863 also differed in barrel length being 8" as opposed to the 6" issue of the Model 1858. All of the variations of the Starr Revolver carried six cartridges in the chambers.

Our example has the serial number 25817 on the trigger guard under the grip, the rear grip support, the barrel frame, the barrel under the rammer, the cylinder, and on the end of the grip. In most examples we see, the serial number under the hammer is normally worn away from powder burn, but this example still retains that serial number almost completely! We would definitely consider this an "ALL MATCHING" revolver, with no parts swapped out over the years, and it's a good one!

Other Markings include-

- STARR. ARMS. Co. NEW. YORK. found on left side of frame.
- STARR'S PATENT JAN. 15. 1856. found on right side of frame.

It shows an overall gray oxidized patina, making this a very eye-catching percussion civil war revolver. There are some areas of past peppering and staining, but no major pit rusting. We do not see any signs of it having been refurbished, and it has a nice original "blade" front sight, which is still intact and installed in the dovetail. The grip is in very good shape, showing wear from service, including the usual dents, dings, and small chips. We can see that it has had some resurfacing done, and there are a few wood filler repairs as well.

The bore is in excellent condition, showing a mostly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and no signs of major oxidation or damage. We can see some past fouling in areas, now cleaned away, but for a Civil War percussion revolver, this is really a fantastic bore, especially considering the patination on the exterior. It looks to have seen only light use during the war. Mechanically the revolver cycles well, and properly breaks open for cleaning and loading. It indexes properly with a strong cylinder lockup, though as one would expect there is a bit of slop in the mechanics. All 6 cap nipples are present, and look to be original. They are all clear, however they show oxidation to the exterior as well as "mushrooming" from hammer strikes. The insides of the chambers do show oxidation and fouling.

A very good patinated example of a Single Action Starr revolver with a great bore, ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: late 1863
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Single Action
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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