About 20,000 of these Starr percussion Carbines in .54 Caliber were bought by the Union during the Civil War, issued to Western troops. This weapon has a dropping breach, similar in action to the Sharps, and was rated as better than the Sharps in government tests. The Starr Arms Company located in Yonkers, NY made them. They had a brass buttplate and barrel band. All the iron parts were blued with case –hardened lock and frame. They were all serial numbered with the lock marked STARR ARMS CO/ YONKERS. N.Y. The barrel is stamped STARR ARMS CO YONKERS, N.Y and the breech is stamped STARR’S PATENT / SEPT. 14^th 1858.

This carbine has a dusky gray patina on all the iron parts. All the stampings are crisp and clear including the 1 / ARK / M stamped on the top of the breech. Inspector mark ‘S” is on the tang of the buttplate and a “B” on the barrel band. Serial number is 12336. The walnut stock has nicks and scratches from normal use and has a faint but visible cartouche. The bore is bright and the rifiling is strong. The action is mechanically perfect.

Ten thousand men form Arkansas served in the Union Army. The First Arkansas Cavalry was the most famous of them, sometimes called the Mountain Yankees. Just as was the case with neighboring Missouri and Alabama (and, indeed, with all Southern states), the mountain areas were strongest for the Union. In 1862, a group of men from Arkansas showed up to enlist in the 6th Missouri, and it was decided to raise a separate regiment of Cavalry from Arkansas. The 1st Arkansas Cavalry was the result.

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