Introduction to the Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver
The rich tapestry of American history, woven with strands of conflict and innovation, bears the indelible marks of a multitude of significant creations, among which the Model 1858 Starr Arms Company Army Revolver merits specific mention. This gun stands as a testament to America's ingenuity in the crucible of the Civil War, as a product of a company whose history is etched into the annals of American industrial and military evolution.
Starr Arms
Founded by Eben T. Starr, an accomplished firearms designer and son of Nathan Starr, a famous gun maker, the Starr Arms Company of New York City emerged in the 1850s against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the North and South. Establishing its manufacturing center in Yonkers, New York, the company was poised to play a pivotal role in the tumultuous events that lay ahead.
The company's magnum opus, the Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver, arrived on the scene as a defining innovation in American firearms history. Conceived as a double-action revolver, the initial model was notable for its complexity and mechanical sophistication. However, the mechanism's relative intricacy and consequent price led the U.S. Ordnance Department to request a more affordable and simpler single-action variant, which subsequently became the most widely recognized model.
Design
A .44 caliber percussion revolver, the Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver featured a six-shot unfluted cylinder, with a 6-inch round barrel, blued finish, and one-piece walnut grip. With an overall length of 12 inches, the revolver was slightly larger and heavier than some contemporaries but was lauded for its reliable performance and rugged durability.
The Model 1858 Starr Army Revolver was primarily manufactured from 1858 to 1863, during the height of the American Civil War. Initial production numbers estimate around 23,000 double-action models, followed by an approximate 32,000 of the single-action model, bringing the total production to roughly 55,000 units, a testament to the revolver's importance during this period.
Usage
The Model 1858 Starr saw extensive use by Union forces during the Civil War, with the Starr Arms Company being the third largest supplier of revolvers to the Union Army. Some Confederate units, as records suggest, also procured and used the Model 1858, likely as battlefield pick-ups. Notably, the revolver saw service in various prominent campaigns and battles, including Gettysburg, Antietam, and Shiloh.
One famous anecdote linked to the Model 1858 Starr revolves around General George Armstrong Custer, renowned for his daring exploits during the Civil War. Though primarily associated with the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, historical sources suggest that Custer also carried a Starr Army Revolver as a backup weapon. While the veracity of this claim might be debated, the story contributes to the aura surrounding the Model 1858.
On the civilian front, a lesser-known variant of the Model 1858, commonly referred to as the Starr Civilian Model, also existed. This model, quite similar to its military counterpart, differed primarily in the length of its barrel, which was a more manageable 4 inches, making it more suited for personal protection and everyday carry.
As the fires of the Civil War dimmed, the demand for revolvers like the Model 1858 waned. The Starr Arms Company attempted to adapt, producing cartridge revolvers and other arms, but the tide of progress was relentless. By 1867, the company ceased operations, leaving behind a legacy marked by the Model 1858 Army Revolver—a symbol of American resilience and inventiveness amidst one of the nation's most tumultuous epochs.
Conclusion
This history of the Starr Arms Company and the Model 1858 Army Revolver offers a glimpse into an era of American history defined by strife and transformation. And just as we look to the past to comprehend our present, we may yet find inspiration in the stories of those who, like Eben T. Starr, endeavored to forge innovation amidst the chaos. It is a tale of both the artistry of arms and the spirit of a nation, forever etched in the steel of the Model 1858 Army Revolver.
The Smithsonian has one of these as part of its collection. It can be viewed here.
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