This double-action Starr revolver is complete, all original, and rates about fine to excellent for condition with about 60 percent finish, smooth metal and sharp markings. The barrel shows thin original blue mixing with gray. The cylinder has rubbed to a muted silver, but the frame still has lots of faded blue mixed with underlying gray in a pleasing pattern almost like mottled case color. The case-hardened hammer and loading assembly show nice matching deep color. The trigger has been rubbed to silver from handling. The markings in the metal are crisp: serial number 14111 on the cylinder; “STARR ARMS, Co. NEW. YORK.” on the lower left frame; and “STARR’S PATENT JAN. 15, 1856” on the lower right frame. The nipples are good, not battered. Some of the screw heads show color. None of the slots are chewed up. The grips were cleaned at some point, but have a tight fit to the metal, good edges, and just a few stains or handling dings. Both sides of the grips have impressive, clear, and crisply stamped inspector cartouches at the bottom.

The Starr Arms Company in Binghamton, NY, was the third largest supplier of revolvers to the U.S government in the Civil War, delivering 16,100 of these .44 caliber double-action revolvers on contract from January 1862 to mid-1863, and another 4,950 in May 1864 on a separate purchase agreement, for a total of 21,050. Non-governmental sales are estimated at 2,000, for a total production run of about 23,000. As serial number 14111, this one falls under a June 12, 1862, contract and was likely delivered in April 1863 by McAulay’s tables of army purchases, which makes it a great mid-war cavalry pistol, in the field in time for the Gettysburg campaign and other major cavalry actions of the war. Records do not always distinguish between these early double-action .44 caliber Starr revolvers and their later single-action pistols, but cavalry units known to have carried Starr revolvers include the following: 1^st NH; 7^th Michigan; 12^th NY; 2^nd Ohio; 1^st VT; 1^st MO; 8^th PA, 14^th PA; 13^th TN; 1^st WI; 8^th KY 1^st CO; 16^th IL; 2^nd IN; and many others.

This is a classic Civil War Union cavalryman’s sidearm that look great displayed with a saber belt, holster, and other issue accouterments.  [SR] [ph:L]

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