Original Item: Only One Available. The Starr carbine was a "Capping Breech Loader" type single-shot firearm used by the United States Army. Designed in 1858, the Starr was primarily used by cavalry soldiers in the American Civil War.

In January 1858, Ebenezer Starr submitted his design for a single-shot, breech-loading cap fired rifle to the Washington Armory for evaluation. During testing, the rifle was noted to have no misfires, and its accuracy was considered better than average. Testers commented that if the gas seal could be improved, the weapon would be better than its rival, the Sharps carbine. The gun was then adopted as the Model 1858 carbine. Between 1861 and 1864, over 20,000 were produced by the Starr Arms Company of Yonkers, New York. The Model 1858 was designed to fire paper or linen cartridges.

Interestingly, before the conclusion of the war, Starr successfully morphed their percussion model into a metallic cartridge carbine by changing out the breechblock, hammer and barrel. The butt plate and barrel band material was also changed from brass to steel. In 1865, the U.S. Ordnance Department ordered 3,000 Starr carbines chambered for the .56-50 Spencer metallic rimfire cartridge, which began around serial number 30,000. These proved to be successful, and an additional 2,000 were ordered. Many of these were apparently issued to the 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the spring of 1865.

Although the Starr carbine had proven to be effective during the Civil War, it was not successful during the trials of 1865 by the U.S. Army trials board, and no further rifles were ordered.

During the war, the Starr Arms Company had been the fifth largest supplier of carbines and the third largest supplier of .44 caliber single action pistols. After the war had ended, and with no further government contracts, Starr could no longer compete with larger manufacturers like Winchester, Sharps, and Colt, and the company closed its doors in 1867.

This example is offered in very nice condition. All aspects function perfectly bore in the 21" barrel shows has a bright bore with crisp lands and grooves. It will rate a nine on a one to ten scale. Action is smooth and tight. Wood to metal fit is very good. All markings are correct and complete. The barrel is marked with serial number 30580 Marked nicely on both lock and barrel: STARR ARMS CO. YONKERS, N.Y. It also bears the patent markings just behind the falling breech: STARR'S PATENT. / SEPT. 14TH 1858.

In very nice condition, these ranked third in popularity after the Sharps and the Spencer Carbines. Ready to fill that spot in your collection!

Specifications:

Year of Production: c.1865
Caliber: .56-50 Spencer
Ammunition type: Rimfire Cartridge
Length: 37.5 in (950 mm)
Barrel length: 21 in (530 mm)
Action: Falling block action
Feed system: Single Shot, breech-loading

Design and features

The Starr carbine was similar in design to the Sharps carbine. The Starr had a longer receiver and a distinctive web between the tail of the breech lever and the underside of the butt.

The Starr carbine had a .54 caliber barrel that was 21 inches in length. The weapon had an overall length of 37.65 inches and a weight of 7.4 lbs. The Starr carbine had a three-position rear sight composed of a standing block and two folding leaves.

Production history

Model 1858
Designer: Ebenezer Starr
Designed: 1858
Manufacturer: Starr Arms Company
Number built: 25,000

Model 1865
Designer: Ebenezer Starr
Designed: 1865
Manufacturer: Starr Arms Company
Number built: 5,000

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