Starr Model 1858 Carbine U.S. Issued Civil War Cavalry Army
Starr Model 1858 Carbine U.S. Issued Civil War Cavalry Army - Inventory Number: RIF 246
A solid example of the Starr Model 1858 Percussion Carbine, one of the principal breechloading arms issued to Union cavalry during the American Civil War. Manufactured by the Starr Arms Company of Yonkers, New York, this carbine was designed for mounted troops and saw extensive service in Federal cavalry units from 1862 onward.
Chambered in .54 caliber, the Starr carbine is a single-shot, percussion-fired, breechloading firearm, operated by a falling block action controlled by a lever integrated into the trigger guard. The 21-inch round barrel retains smooth surfaces, with faint but legible markings including “STARR ARMS CO. / YONKERS, N.Y.” and government inspector stamps.
The walnut stock and forearm are well-fitted, typically bearing a U.S. military cartouche on the left side of the wrist. The carbine is equipped with a saddle bar and ring on the left side of the receiver for cavalry use.
Over 20,000 Starr carbines were delivered under U.S. Ordnance contracts, and the weapon was praised for its strength and simplicity. It served in various theaters of the war and was often issued alongside Sharps and Burnside carbines in cavalry arsenals.
This Starr carbine is a representative example of a primary Federal cavalry arm, combining practical design with robust construction, and remains a key collectible for those interested in Civil War-era firearms.
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