Early Battlefield Pick Up Petersburg, Va. Starr Model 1858 Revolver
Item #: WR720
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This is a .44 caliber double action revolver manufactured by the Starr Arms Company of New York City, New York. About 23,000 double action Starr revolvers were manufactured in the late 1850's and early 1860's. Most of these were purchased by the U.S. Army. Starr revolvers represented about 12% of the sidearms issued to the Union cavalry, surpassed only by Colt and Remington. Starr made one of the earliest double action revolvers. They are six shot cap and ball revolvers with a six inch round barrel with six grooves. The overall length is 11 5/8" and it weighs 2 pounds 12 ounces. It has a steel blade front sight dovetailed into the barrel. A V notch cut into the hammer serves as a rear sight. There is a knurled screw on the right side of the frame, that when removed, allows the barrel to tip downwards on its hinge so the cylinder can be removed. The Starr revolver was invented by Eben Starr of New York City, grandson of Nathan Starr. The firearms were made at Yonkers, Binghamton and Morrisania, New York. The New York City address referred to the company's store location. This double action Starr Model 1858 revolver is an early battlefield pick up from the Petersburg, Virginia area. It is not an excavated gun, but did spend some time laying on the ground. It is complete, to include the grips, and is in amazing condition considering it lay on a battlefield for quite some time!. The exterior of the gun is completely pitted, and has a nice untouched dark brown patina. The serial number of 1543 stamped inside of the hammer is still visible, but not on the bridge. I have not attempted to verify the serial number stamped on the left frame, so as to leave the gun undisturbed. The serial number stamp on the cylinder is no longer legible. The bore is dark and rusted, but shows worn rifling. The mechanics of the Starr are not always functional. This one is an exception, working just like ol' Eben designed it to do. The one piece wood grip shows honest wear, and have their share of dings and mars. There is an inspector's cartouche on each side of the grip, both are very legible. A rectangular box with the initials CSL within is stamped on the right side of the grip. They represent Major Charles S. Lowell, an inspector of Starr .44 caliber double action and Colt Model 1860 revolvers from 1858-1861. The left grip also has a rectangle with the initials GTL, but I can't find any information on this inspector. The sub inspector markings are no longer visible with all the pitting on the metal. The frame stamp below the cylinder STARR ARMS Co. NEW YORK on the left side is no longer visible. Nor is the stamp STARR'S PATENT JAN. 15, 1856 on the right side of the frame. This Starr Model 1858 double action revolver truly is amazing on several accounts, it's still a complete gun and fully functional even though it was out in the elements for who knows how long. This one will compliment any Civil War collection!
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