Starr revolver

A Starr revolver (Starr DA) is a double-action revolver which was used in the western theater of the American Civil War until the U.S. Ordnance Department persuaded the Starr Arms Co. to create a single-action variant after discontinuation of the Colt. The company eventually complied, and the Union acquired 25,000 of the single-action revolvers for $12 each (equivalent to $249 in 2019). However, the price paid by the government for the DA army revolver was $25.[4] The State of Ohio purchased 500 of the .36 Caliber Navy version for $20 each.[5]

Starr DA revolver 1858
Starr 1863 .44 Single Action Revolver
Starr DA (Starr double-action)[1]
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
WarsAmerican Civil War
Production history
DesignerEbanezer (Eban) Townsend Starr (Yonkers, New York)[2]
DesignedProbably[2] 15 January 1856[2]
ManufacturerStarr Arms Company of Binghamton and Yonkers, New York[3]
ProducedLate 1850s to 1860s[3]
No. built23,000[3]
Specifications
Mass2 lb 14 oz (1.3 kg) [1858 Army DA][4]
Length12 5⁄8 in (32 cm) [1858 Army DA][4]
CartridgeBall, percussion cap #11[3]
Caliber.44 [0.451 in (11.5 mm)],.[1] 36 (Navy version[2])
ActionPercussion
Muzzle velocity725 ft/s (221 m/s)[1]
Feed system6 round cylinder[2]

Power and charge

The Starr DA .44 cylinder holds in each chamber 33 grains (2.1 g) of powder, the bullet weighs 138 grains (8.9 g).[1]

Three variations

Starr received patent number 30843 on December 4, 1860 for the DA revolver.[6]

Starr patent:

Generally there are three models of Starr revolvers:[2]
1858 Double Action .36 Caliber Percussion Navy Revolver (produced 1859-1860) [3000 produced][5]
1858 Double Action .44 Caliber Percussion Army Revolver (produced 1862-1863) [~23000 produced][7]
1863 Single Action .44 Caliber Percussion Army Revolver (produced 1863-1864) [23000 produced][7]

In total, 47,454 Starr revolvers were manufactured making it the third most issued of civil war era revolvers (6,352 Starr DA Navy and Army revolvers were purchased on the open market).[7]

Other double-action percussion revolvers

The most widely known double-action percussion revolver is likely the First Model Adams of 1851. This was unique in having a double-action-only mechanism, a cylinder that could quickly be removed by pulling forward on the front of the cylinder pin and slightly tapered cylinders designed to take either proprietary combustible cartridges with a conical bullet designed to fit the tapered cylinder or a round ball. No ramrod was provided. Another unique feature was a safety catch which held the hammer away from the percussion cap under it so it could be carried with all its 5 cylinders loaded unlike the Colt in which one of its 6 cylinders was left uncapped while carried because the hammer would rest on it which could result in a discharge if dropped. An improved version of this is the Beaumont–Adams of 1855 which has a hammer spur and a mechanism which allows single-or double-action operation. The cartridge idea had proved unpopular, so the cylinders were bored parallel for use with ball and powder and a ramrod installed on the left side of the barrel. The Beaumont–Adams differs from the Starr DA in that it is configured for a SA/DA mode. Some sources claim that Starr and Beaumont did not produce enough revolvers to be considered major players in the market. These sources claim that the first widely used DA revolver (sometimes called the first "modern" revolver) was the Colt 1889 .38 Government (.38 Long Colt) used by the Navy, and/or the improved version for the Navy and Army, the Colt 1892, because, despite wide adoption, the 1889 model was produced in relatively low numbers.

Pietta replica

For a time, the Pietta company manufactured a modern-day replica of the Starr double-action and single-action models. Aficionados generally consider the replica to be of lower overall quality than the original.[8]

Cultural reference

The Starr DA is featured in the 1992 film Unforgiven, when William Munny (Clint Eastwood) takes it from its case to determine whether he has lost his former shooting ability. The self-cocking trigger can be seen in this film. In the 1994 film Wyatt Earp young Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) carries this gun.

This gun is shown in its case in the 1982 film First Blood.

References
  1. "Starr Revolvers and Carbines". Hackman-adams.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  2. Marc Wade. "Starr Revolver Week 1". Armscollectors.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  3. "Dixie Gun Works muzzleloading, blackpowder and rare antique gun supplies". Dixiegunworks.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  4. Marc Wade. "Starr Revolver Week 2". Armscollectors.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  5. "Civil War Sidearms". Rebelstatescurrency.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  6. "Patent Images". Patimg1.uspto.gov. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  7. Marc Wade. "Starr Revolver Week 3". Armscollectors.com. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  8. "Original Starr DA percussion revolver vs Pietta replica". YouTube. 2011-04-27. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
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