Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Starr Arms Model 1858 .44 caliber Double Action Army percussion revolver bearing the low serial number 1536. One of the distinctive American military revolvers of the Civil War period, this example retains matching serial numbers across most major components, remnants of original blue in protected areas, a service worn gray patina, a very good rifled bore, and its distinctive double action mechanism.

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:

1536

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 1536 is present on the lower front portion of the upper frame, beneath the loading lever on the barrel, on the trigger guard beneath the grip, on the rear grip support, and on the underside of the hammer. A normally concealed frame marking beneath the hammer also remains fully legible. The cylinder number is considerably more worn, with 53 clearly visible while traces of the 1 and 6 remain, consistent with the same serial number.

The wood grip is a period replacement and is numbered:

4418

on the butt. The same number is also present on the left side of the trigger.

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 retains an overall worn gray metal patina with scattered areas of light old peppering but no evidence of extensive deep pitting. Traces of original blue remain on the underside of the barrel around the serial number and along the sides of the loading lever. The surviving surfaces have the appearance of long service and age rather than a later overall refinish.

The replacement walnut grip remains in very good condition with attractive color and honest handling wear. There is a missing chip on the forward portion of the right side immediately below the frame, together with scattered dents and wear around the butt.

The barrel retains its correct dovetailed blade front sight, which is complete but shows wear across the top. The bore is in very good condition overall, with clearly defined lands and grooves and areas of partially bright surface. A substantial rough area of old fouling and oxidation remains nearer the forcing cone, particularly along the lower left portion of the bore.

All six percussion nipples remain present in the cylinder and show exterior wear, fouling, and oxidation. Two of the six nipple passages are clear. One nipple contains a broken needle or similar tool left from an earlier attempt to clear it.

The action cycles relatively well in its present condition. No significant deficiency was noted when operating the double action mechanism. When used in single action, the trigger must be drawn slightly rearward before the hammer will release. The small safety component formerly located at the rear of the trigger is missing, though its mounting location remains visible.

The revolver can still be taken down for cleaning, though the knurling on the frame lock pin is worn and its slot has been damaged, making removal difficult. The loading lever operates properly without any noted mechanical issue. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical state and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its low serial number 1536, extensive matching numbered components, fully legible concealed frame marking beneath the hammer, remnants of original blue, correct blade front sight, complete loading lever, six original nipples, and very good rifled bore, this is a strong service worn example of the Starr Model 1858 Double Action Army revolver. The numbered replacement grip and trigger, missing grip chip, bore oxidation near the forcing cone, obstructed nipple, missing trigger safety component, single action release issue, and worn takedown pin are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Starr Arms, Civil War cavalry, Union sidearm, early double action revolver, or advanced U.S. martial firearms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1859-60
Maker: Starr Arms Co.
Model: 1858 Double Action Army
Serial No.: 1536
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.