Original Items: Only one set Available. This is a lovely well patinated condition Civil War revolver, complete with an original Civil War enlisted man's belt & relic holster rig. The gun definitely looks to have long service, and bears the serial number of 23257, 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 23257 on the barrel frame, the barrel under the rammer, the end of the grip, and on the rear grip support. The trigger guard however is marked with 23363, and the cylinder is marked with 24438, both non-matching and indicators that this revolver most likely saw service at arsenal, where parts were swapped out after damage. The marking under the hammer is worn away, and this revolver definitely looks to have seen long service during the civil war.

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.

Nice smooth used finish showing a lovely gray aged peppery patina, making this a very eye catching percussion civil war revolver. We do not see any signs of it having been refinished, though it definitely has been cleaned to remove dirt and rust during service. 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 moderate wear but no major cracks or chunks missing. It still has faint inspection cartouches on BOTH sides!

The bore is in good condition, still showing clear lands and grooves, but also pitting and oxidation, especially near the forcing cone. It looks to have seen significant use during the war, though it definitely is better than some we see, which are completely shot out. The revolver does cycle, but it definitely can stick at times, and cycles slightly better with the muzzle pointed down. Still, it does index correctly and locks up at full cock, you just need to use a bit of force. Mechanically the revolver cycles perfectly, and properly breaks open for cleaning and loading. All 6 cap nipples are present, and look to be original, though they all show wear from use and powder burn. Four of six are clear, and all the chambers on the cylinder show oxidation and fouling on the interior.

The included belt and holster rig is the standard enlisted setup, with a Federal pattern 1839 belt buckle with "arrow" clips fitted to a leather belt with a circa 1863 brass belt keeper, which was an improvement over the earlier model M-1855 Waist belt which had an integrally-sewn loop. This had resulted in Belt Buckles being lost, as the soldier had to remove the buckle in order to use the keeper. The belt is in very good worn condition, showing much wear to the finish, and the brass keeper unfortunately is crushed, so it no longer can clip over the belt. The holster in the set is definitely in "relic" condition, and is almost falling apart, so please handle with care. The seam on the side is completely gone. We checked for markings on the entire rig, and unfortunately all have been worn away.

A really great example of a Single Action Starr revolver, complete with an original civil war enlisted belt rig! 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.

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.