Guns International #: 101766966
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-242

Category - Starr Arms - Civil War Revolvers

Category
Starr Arms
Civil War Revolvers

U.S. Civil War Starr Arms Co. S.A. 1863 Army Revolver in .44 Cap & Ball ** 100% Original and Matching **

Description:
This is an all-original and all-matching American Civil War production Starr Arms Company Model 1863 Army revolver in .44 caliber cap and ball.  This example is serial number 30,836 made in the first year of production (serials started at approx. 23,000 for this model), and is fully functional.  The Starr Model 1863 Single Action Revolver was designed as an improved and less-costly successor to the firm's double-action Model 1858 Army, also in .44 caliber.  With approximately 32,000 made, the Starr Model 1863 was third most-purchased revolver outside of the Colt and Remington to Union forces in the Civil War, and captured Starr 1863 revolvers saw relatively heavy use with Confederate forces as well.  The .44 caliber Starr Model 1863 Army featured a blue factory finish with a color case-hardened hammer and loading lever, a 6-shot non-fluted cylinder, an 8" inch round barrel, a 1-piece smooth Black Walnut grip, and the sights consisted of a groove in the hammer and a front sight blade dovetailed into the barrel.  The Starr 1863 Army design was very unique in that the upper frame and barrel assembly were hinged at the lower front of the frame, and could be readily opened by the removal of a knurled thumb screw on the right side of the frame behind the cylinder.  Opening up the Starr allowed the used to quickly remove the cylinder for any reason, and allowed for quick and easy cleaning and maintenance.  The single-action Star Model 1863 proved itself a serviceable cavalry revolver, although the opinions of the troops that were issued them varied from very positive to very negative.  An officer from the 12th Kentucky Cavalry summed up the opinion of those troops that didn't like the gun by saying "The man who sold these pistols to the government and the contractor who bought them ought to be hanged at traitors".  Regardless of whether they were liked or not, the Starr Model 1863 Army had such widespread use between both sides of the conflict that an example of this revolver should be in every serious Civil War or antique U.S. Military weapons collection.  As mentioned earlier, this particular example is in 100% original condition, it has not been modified or "improved" in any way.  It is a handsome piece that shows honest wear, all of which is consistent from part to part and as a whole.  It is 100% matching as well, as we have had it apart and literally every major piece of the gun is serial-numbered including the barrel assembly, the rear frame section, the triggerguard assembly/lower tang, the rear backstrap, the cylinder, and the 1-piece grip. Many of the small pieces have a matching "M" assembly/inspection stamp.  The factory markings on this Starr consist of the left side of the frame stamped "Starr Arms Co. New York" and the right side stamped with "Starrs Patent Jan. 15 1856".  The original blue factory finish has been worn away and aged to a brown-blue, with only some small spots of bright blue finish remaining.  The bore in this revolver is average with visible rifling but scattered pitting throughout the barrel.  The six chambers of the cylinder are in good shape with little to no pitting and the nipples all have open passages.  The star on the back of the cylinder is in excellent condition, showing little to no mechanical wear.  The original grip on this revolver is still intact and in solid shape, showing lots of dings, dents, scratches, and handling marks that are consistent with an issued and combat-used Civil War revolver.  The inspector's cartouches on both sides of the grip are still there partially and can be made if you look very closely.  This Starr is fully functional.  The action is still "in time" and smooth, and the cylinder locks up as it was designed to.  The hammer still has both the half-cock and full-cock notches intact, the loading lever works perfectly, and the trigger breaks properly with a relatively heavy pull.  If you have been looking for a unmolested Starr Model 1863 Army that almost certainly saw combat in the American Civil War this 1863-production example would be a superb choice.             

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .44
Manufacturer: Starr Arms Company
Model: 1863 Army
Serial Number: 30836
Barrel Length: 8" Inches
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Good
Wood Condition: Good / Average
Bore Condition: Average / Good
Action: Single Action Revolver
Finish: Blued / Case Colored
Sights: Fixed Iron Sights
Manufacture Date: 1863