Original U.S. Civil War Starr Arms M1863 .44cal Single Action Army Percussion Revolver with Worn Grip Cartouches - Serial 30362

Original Items: Only one set Available. This is a lovely condition Civil War revolver bearing the serial number of 30362, indicating production in early-mid 1864. 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 30362 stamped on the barrel frame, the barrel under the rammer, the trigger guard under the grip, the rear grip support, the barrel frame, the top of the grip, and on the cylinder. The top of the frame under the hammer is marked with partial serial 303, however the rest is worn away by powder burn and oxidation, as is the serial number on the underside of the hammer. We would call this a very nice "Mostly Matching" example, and we do not believe any parts have ever been swapped out.

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 polished light gray patina, making this a very eye catching percussion civil war revolver. 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 moderate wear with no major chipping or other damage, though it may have been used as a hammer at one point, as there are some dents on the bottom. There are partial martial inspection cartouches on both sides of the grip, however they are too faint for us to read.

Mechanically the revolver cycles well, and properly breaks open for cleaning and loading. The cylinder stop is however not currently functional, so the cylinder can be rotated when the hammer is all the way forward, and does not firmly lock up when the hammer is fully cocked. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is some evidence of past oxidation and fouling near the muzzle end, now cleaned away, but the lands are still crisp, and overall it is far above the usual bores we see on Civil War percussion revolvers. All 6 cap nipples are present, and look to be original, showing some wear and oxidation to the exterior. Five of the six are still clear, and the insides of the chambers do show oxidation and fouling.

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

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: late 1863 - early 1864
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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