This Civil War Starr carbine rates near fine with lots of finish and color and just some marks in the wood. The metal shows smooth overall with the barrel showing full coverage of thin blue, some light case colors to the receiver and lock, and wood with good color and a tight fit. Both sights are in place. The brass barrel band and buttplate have a pleasant, matching, untouched, mustard tone. The serial number gives it a delivery/purchase date of about April 1864.

All markings and stamps in the metal are crisp. The barrel is stamped “STARR ARMS CO. YONKERS, N.Y.” in front of the rear sight, and “STARR’S PATENT / SEPT. 14th 1858” on the upper tang of the receiver just behind the loading groove. The lockplate is marked to the rear of the hammer, “STARR ARMS CO. / YONKERS, N.Y.” The barrel inspector stamp, “F.D.L.” is present at the left rear. Various single-initial sub-inspector marks appear on different parts. The serial number, 13167, is crisp on the on the right side of the breechblock when lowered. The block plainly shows thin case colors, pairing nicely with the receiver and lockplate. The triggerguard tang shows a caramel tone. The screw heads show blue. The lever and hammer screw show a little roughness to the screw slots from turning.

The forestock shows good edges near the receiver and a tight fit. It has some handling marks and small checks along the barrel edge and the band shows some dings on the upper left. There some handling marks along bottom, with deeper marks in the wood at the right rear with a tiny bit of rubbing to the barrel blue above it. The buttstock has a good fit and color as well. The right flat shows some minor scratches and three small pressure dents. The right shows some handling marks and two sets of very lightly scratched initials that include and “M” or “W” that are not very noticeable. The left wrist shows two inspector cartouches. The upper is rubbed in the middle from the sling ring. The lower is partially visible. The top edge of the comb is crisp. The buttplate fit is tight, with nice tone to the brass and blue on the screws.

The government purchased 600 Starr percussion carbines on the open market in July 1863; contracted for 20,000, received from September 1863 through August 1864; and received one additional carbine, likely the pattern for the contract, for a total of 20,601. By McAulay’s tables this one dates about April 1864. They saw service with the 24^th NY, 11^th Missouri, 5^th Kansas, and 1^st Arkansas Cavalry. The company also produced a late-war rimfire version of the carbine and is known for its double and single action pistols as well.

This is a very nice looking example of a standard issued Union cavalry carbine.  [sr] [ph:L]

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