The American Civil War was a proving ground for firearm innovation, producing some of the most well-known and widely used revolvers in U.S. history. Among them, the Starr 1858 Army Revolver stands as an often-overlooked but historically significant weapon that played a crucial role in arming Union cavalry forces. Manufactured by the Starr Arms Company, this revolver was a bold experiment in firearm mechanics, featuring a unique double-action system that set it apart from its contemporaries. Though it ultimately fell out of favor, its innovative design and wartime prominence make it one of the most fascinating firearms of the 19th century.
Origins and Development of the Starr Arms Company
The Starr Arms Company was founded by Eben T. Starr, the son of famed American gunsmith Nathan Starr, whose legacy included producing sabers and firearms for the U.S. government. Following in his father’s footsteps, Eben Starr sought to push the boundaries of firearm design. His 1856 patent for a double-action revolver marked a departure from the traditional single-action designs dominant in the United States at the time.
Produced in Yonkers, New York, Starr’s revolvers were among the most advanced handguns available to Union soldiers. By the late 1850s, the company had secured a lucrative contract with the U.S. Ordnance Department, positioning itself as one of the three largest suppliers of military revolvers during the Civil War, alongside Colt and Remington.
Design and Technical Specifications
The Starr 1858 Army Revolver was chambered in .44 caliber and functioned as a six-shot percussion revolver. What made it unique was its double-action mechanism, which allowed soldiers to fire by simply pulling the trigger without manually cocking the hammer. This was a revolutionary feature at a time when most revolvers, including the widely used Colt Model 1860 Army, required manual cocking before each shot.
Key Specifications of the Starr 1858 Army Revolver:
- Caliber: .44 percussion
- Action: Double-action (1858 version), later adapted to single-action (1863 model)
- Capacity: Six rounds
- Barrel Length: 6 inches
- Overall Length: 12 inches
- Weight: Approximately 3 lbs
- Frame: Blued steel
- Grip: One-piece walnut
The revolver featured a solid frame design, which increased durability and reduced the likelihood of failure in combat. Unlike the open-top Colt designs, the Starr revolver’s more rigid construction allowed for greater longevity, particularly under harsh battlefield conditions.
Advantages and Challenges
While the double-action system theoretically allowed for faster shooting, it had drawbacks. Soldiers found that the trigger pull was exceptionally heavy, reducing accuracy. Additionally, the revolver’s mechanical complexity made it more expensive to manufacture than single-action counterparts like the Colt 1860 Army or the Remington 1858 New Army.
Due to these concerns, the U.S. Army requested a simplified version, leading to the introduction of the Starr 1863 Single Action Army Revolver to replace the Starr 1858 Army Revolver. This model was mechanically similar to traditional Colt and Remington revolvers, featuring a manual-cocking system and a significantly lighter trigger pull. With an order of approximately 32,000 units, it became the most produced Starr revolver, though the total production of all Starr revolvers exceeded 50,000 units.
Service in the American Civil War
The Starr 1858 Army Revolver saw extensive service in the Union cavalry, where revolvers were essential secondary weapons. The Army issued it primarily to mounted troops due to its rapid rate of fire and sturdy construction. Records indicate that Starr revolvers were used in multiple significant battles, including:
- Battle of Gettysburg (1863)
- Battle of Antietam (1862)
- Battle of Shiloh (1862)
Did General Custer Carry a Starr 1858 Army Revolver?
Though there are claims that General George Armstrong Custer may have carried a Starr revolver as a backup weapon during the war, there is no definitive historical evidence confirming this. Custer is most commonly associated with Colt revolvers, particularly the Colt Single Action Army later in his career. However, given the widespread distribution of Starr revolvers among cavalry units, it is plausible that some found their way into the hands of officers like Custer.
Confederate Use of the Starr Revolver
While the Confederacy primarily relied on captured and imported arms, some Starr revolvers undoubtedly fell into Confederate hands through battlefield pick-ups or captured supply depots. Confederate cavalry units, often lacking standardized weapons, were known to repurpose whatever firearms they could acquire.
The Decline of Starr Arms
By the end of the Civil War, the landscape of firearm technology had shifted dramatically. Metallic cartridge revolvers, such as the Smith & Wesson Model 1 and Remington conversions, were quickly rendering percussion revolvers obsolete. The Starr Arms Company attempted to adapt by producing the Starr Model 1865 Single-Action Cartridge Revolver, chambered in a .44 metallic cartridge, but it failed to secure significant contracts.
Ultimately, without military orders to sustain it, the company ceased operations by 1867. Its failure to transition effectively into the post-war firearm market marked the end of a once-prominent manufacturer.
Collectibility and Legacy
Today, the Starr 1858 Army Revolver is a prized collector’s item. Given its relatively limited production numbers compared to Colts and Remingtons, original specimens in good condition fetch significant prices at auctions. Many examples still exist in private collections and museums, offering tangible links to the firearms technology of the Civil War era.
For historical firearms enthusiasts, the Starr 1858 Army revolver represents a critical step in the evolution of revolver design, particularly in the American military context. It was a weapon ahead of its time, introducing concepts that would later become standard in modern double-action revolvers.
Final Thoughts
The Starr 1858 Army Revolver may not have achieved the lasting fame of the Colt 1860 Army or Remington 1858, but its contribution to Civil War armament and firearm innovation cannot be overstated. With its groundbreaking double-action system, solid-frame construction, and significant battlefield use, it remains one of the most intriguing and underappreciated revolvers of the 19th century.
For collectors, historians, and enthusiasts, the Starr 1858 Army Revolver is more than just a relic—it is a symbol of a transitional period in firearm history, embodying both the ambition and challenges of 19th-century gunsmithing.
The Smithsonian has a Starr 1858 Army Revolver of these as part of its collection. It can be viewed here.
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