CIVIL WAR STARR PERCUSSION CARBINE

CIVIL WAR STARR PERCUSSION CARBINE

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$1,695.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-576

Issued to the Federal cavalry during the Civil War, this weapon is a great example of a Starr carbine. A breech loading, .54 caliber, percussion weapon produced by the Starr Arms Company of Yonkers, New York. The Starr carbine resembled the more famous ‘Sharps’ carbine of the time but, the Union cavalrymen did not think as highly of the Starr as they did the Sharps. The first shipment of 1,000 Starr percussion carbines was delivered to the Ordnance Department in September 1863. A total over 20,000 such weapons were purchased by the US government.

Manufactured between 1862 and 1865, the Starr percussion carbines were all .54 caliber breechloaders fitted with 21” long, round tapered barrel. The carbine employed a split breech, drop block mechanism that allowed the trooper to insert a linen cased cartridge into the chamber of the breech. Upward motion of the operating lever closed the breech, and ignition was activated with the striking of a percussion cap by the external hammer. The weapon measured 37½” long and weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. The iron lock plate and frame were casehardened and the barrel blued. The bottom of the breech block has good blue remaining.

This original carbine bears serial #16537. It features a two-piece black walnut stock with an 8” long fore-end secured by a single brass barrel band. Buttstock is 14½” long with a brass butt plate.

A few hints of case colors remain on the lock and hammer. The barrel wears a mostly dark patina with some blue remaining in the recesses. Maker stampings on the lock plate are clear and read, “STARR ARMS CO. / YONKERS, N.Y.” in two lines. Barrel surface has a thin, one-line marked “STARR ARMS CO. YONKERS, N.Y.” in front of the rear sight. Receiver tang back of hammer is stamped with “STARR’S PATENT / SEPT. 14th 1858”. A single iron sling ring is mounted on the left side of the receiver.

Mechanics are crisp. There is some light corrosion at the top of the breech block. The bore has sharp rifling with a few small dirty spots. Left side of barrel inspector marked “LAB”. Front and rear sights are in good shape.

Wood lacks the normal dings and surface nicks and is in nice condition. A small repair is barely noticeable at the very tip of the buttstock adjacent to the toe of the butt plate.  No cracks or inspector cartouches visible. The lever hinge pivot screw is slightly buggered. Brass has nice unpolished patina.

This is an excellent representative example of a percussion carbine carried by Union cavalry. [stp][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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