Make: Starr Arms Co.

Model: 1863, Cartridge Conversion

Serial#: 24609

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1863-1867, Antique

Caliber: .44 Centerfire, we are unsure exactly what cartridge the pistol is chambered for. We recommend having the bore cast to determine the appropriate cartridge to use with the revolver prior to firing.

Action Type: Single-Action Top-Break Cartridge Firing 6-Round Revolver

Barrel Length: 8"

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed blade.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece wood. The top face of the grip is marked 23372. There are scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are cross-hatch marks on the bottom and two notches on the left that appear intentionally applied. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original to cartridge conversion. Serialized parts are not matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most notable wear is in barrel at the muzzle where it appears the loading lever lug was replaced or reattached. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. There is some other scattered wear. The "ELKHORN RANCH" engraving in the topstrap is cut through the finish. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few small, but deeper dings. There is some scattered erosion under the finish, mostly around the cylinder. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are generally clear. Overall, the revolver is in about Fine condition as converted Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be required to meet your maintenance standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Starr Model 1858 Army Revolver was the brainchild of Ebenezer Townsend Star who came from a family of arms makers. Following his brief service in the Navy, Starr began to develop weapons and established "Starr Arms Co." of New York in the late 1850s. In 1861, following the outbreak of the Civil War, Starr was offered a commission in the Navy but he was unable to accept the position due to lingering complications from his accident. Despite this, he would prove a great service to the Union, providing the Federal Government with tens of thousands of both single and double action revolvers. Starr's company provided the Union with its third largest order of revolvers, over 47,000 manufactured, only surpassed by Colt and Remington. This particular specimen was a Model 1863 Army Revolver, a single-action revolver that proved more simple to use than the earlier double-action M1858. The end of the Civil War did not bode well for his company which went under two years after the end of the war.

This particular rM1863 which has been altered to fire centerfire cartridges. It bears martial inspection marks on major components, so it was likely converted from a surplus revolver. Also of note is the Elkhorn Ranch engraving on the topstrap, a name most famously associated with Theodore Roosevelt's North Dakota ranch. Whatever the story of this revolver it is certainly a fascinating historical firearm. Good luck on your bid!