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 is a lovely example of the Model 1865 Starr Saddle Ring Carbine, a rimfire design intended for Cavalry troops. We have only had a few of these before, as the "capping breech loader" Model 1858 is much more common on the market. The barrel on this example is marked with serial number 33979 on the right hand side, while the breech block marking was removed during conversion. It is also marked nicely on both lock and barrel: STARR ARMS CO. YONKERS, N.Y. , which are both clear. It also still has patent markings just behind the falling breech: STARR'S PATENT. / SEPT. 14TH 1858.

This example is offered in very good cosmetic condition, with most of the wear visible on the stock wood, which is typical. The fore stock has some dents and chips along the woodline, but no major repairs or damage. The butt stock has been worn down on the left side, and the cartouches are worn away. There also looks to be a repaired crack near the end of the lower receiver tang on the left side, now repaired.

The metalwork on the carbine has faded to a lovely gray worn patina overall from years of use followed by decades of cleaning. The saddle ring and bar have unfortunately been removed from the carbine. The action opens correctly and moves smoothly, though there is a bit of slop due to wear. The cartridge ejector looks to be missing, though there is definitely a space for it, but we do not know if it was removed or broke off. The bore shows land and grooves, but also significant oxidation and fouling in areas, particularly near the muzzle. This is definitely a carbine that saw service well after the war.

A great example of a true Civil War Rimfire Carbine, one of only 5,000 made! 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. It fired paper or linen cartridges that were ignited by conventional percussion caps. The weapon fired reliably as long as the lengthy flash channel was kept clean.

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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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.

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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.