Starr m1858 44 cal pistol

[kotkinjs1]

I recently picked up a Starr model 1858. The serial number is early - 3945, all matching - so I was wondering if there was any way to pin down a manufacture date? Also, if there is any way to decipher the few marks on it. The SN facing front under the barrel has an H (I think) stamped next to it. On the left side of the frame there are two small Ks about an inch apart vertically to the rear of the cylinder and that's it. I can't tell if there are any inspector's marks on the grips - either worn away or never present can't tell. But the early SN would make me think it was part of the initial Army run if they got the first batch? Finally, any idea on a price range? Flayderman says the difference is negligible between civil or martially-stamped pieces and the prices range from 800 to over 2K, good to very fine? It's got some minor pitting I'd consider but not completely worn down to grey metal.

Not sure how to judge. Thanks!

 

[Jimklag]

I recently picked up a Starr model 1858. The serial number is early - 3945, all matching - so I was wondering if there was any way to pin down a manufacture date? Also, if there is any way to decipher the few marks on it. The SN facing front under the barrel has an H (I think) stamped next to it. On the left side of the frame there are two small Ks about an inch apart vertically to the rear of the cylinder and that's it. I can't tell if there are any inspector's marks on the grips - either worn away or never present can't tell. But the early SN would make me think it was part of the initial Army run if they got the first batch? Finally, any idea on a price range? Flayderman says the difference is negligible between civil or martially-stamped pieces and the prices range from 800 to over 2K, good to very fine? It's got some minor pitting I'd consider but not completely worn down to grey metal. View attachment 140851 Not sure how to judge. Thanks!View attachment 140843 View attachment 140846 View attachment 140847 View attachment 140848 View attachment 140849 View attachment 140850

Welcome aboard, @kotkinjs1 . I am sure you will soon be inundated with answers from our many fine period weapons experts.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. It appears to be a 1858 DA. Take a look at some of the auctions like Guns International to give you an idea of prices. Condition, condition, condition.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From The Heart Of Dixie. very nice piece. It's in very good condition but it's hard to give a price from photos. I will check my books on the serial# and get you a date and the inspector marks.

 

[Story]

View attachment 140843
I recently picked up a Starr model 1858. The serial number is early - 3945, all matching - so I was wondering if there was any way to pin down a manufacture date?

NRA says 23,000 DA and that they were produced first, so your's would seem to be within the first few years.
http://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-g...vers/us-starr-arms-co-1858-double-action.aspx

Interesting appraisal, but note the remarks about the Safety at the 1.37 mark.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/se...rr-arms-company-revolvers-ca-1860--201503A04/

 

[BillO]

Forgotten weapons on the Starr single and DA revolvers, enjoy.

 

[Ralph Heinz]

While I like Antiques Road Show --- their appraised values are highly suspect and seemed aimed at making the owners of items very happy to hear high values. There are so many of these common Civil War handguns for sale, few sell and dealers will tell you that Civil War firearms are down in demand and price. With the 150th anniversary over and most collectors now in their retirement years and selling off their collections, it's a buyer's market. Guns International always has Starr and other Civil War revolvers for sale and there are plenty of hopeful sellers still asking the prices that these things used to bring a decade or more ago but if you check these web sites you'll see these same guns month after month unsold. If the price is realistic and reasonable some will sell. Even the big auction houses are feeling the pinch of lower sale prices reached for common items. The future looks grim for selling anything antique as younger generations have little or no interest in the past. Statistics show that young men today spend 40% of their time playing video games. They wouldn't be able to tell you who fought in the Civil War or WWII for that matter.

For example, a couple years ago I saw a common P.53 Enfield in attic condition appraised at $3,000 on Antiques Road Show while there was a much better one complete with bayonet on Guns International for $1900 and it's still there unsold today.

Extremely fine or rare firearms still sell for big bucks to a few wealthy collectors but there are far too many of the common guns to find buyers now.

 

[Ralph Heinz]

While I like Antiques Road Show --- their appraised values are highly suspect and seemed aimed at making the owners of items very happy to hear high values. There are so many of these common Civil War handguns for sale, few sell unless they are very reasonably priced and dealers will tell you that Civil War firearms are down in demand and price. With the 150th anniversary over and most collectors now in their retirement years and selling off their collections, it's a buyer's market. Guns International always has Civil War revolvers for sale and there are plenty of hopeful sellers still asking the prices they got decades ago but you'll see these guns month after month unsold.

A couple years ago I saw an attic condition P.53 Enfield appraised at $3,000 on Antiques Road Show while there was a much better P.53 complete with bayonet on Guns International for $1900 and it's still there unsold today years later.

Extremely fine or rare firearms still sell for big bucks to a few wealthy collectors but there are far too many of the common guns to find buyers for all of them now.

The future of these firearms is grim -- young men today spend 40% of their time playing video games and many couldn't tell you who fought in the Civil War or WWII for that matter. They'll be collecting video games and not Civil War firearms.

 

[Story]

I think the guys at the annual Timonium show keep putting the same price tags on their stuff year after year so they can tell their wives they're still trying to get rid of them, while in reality they just generating an excuse to see their buddies again and tell stories/drink beer.

Extremely fine or rare firearms still sell for big bucks to a few wealthy collectors but there are far too many of the common guns to find buyers now.

 

[Kip124thNY]

Welcome aboard!

 

[WJC]

The future looks grim for selling anything antique as younger generations have little or no interest in the past. Statistics show that young men today spend 40% of their time playing video games. They wouldn't be able to tell you who fought in the Civil War or WWII for that matter.

Sad, but very true!

 

[UCVRelics]

Here is a list of all inspectors who inspected the Starr's I believe your H is going to be Benjamin Hannis. Check the grip for any cartouche markings as it appears to have one on the lower end of the left hand grip.

ABB A.B. Blackington Starr & Colt M1860 Revolvers 1860-1862
ADK A.D. King Colt 3Rd Model Dragoon, Colt M1851 Colt M1861 and Starr Revolvers, Ames M1840 Heavy Dragoon Saber 1850-1865
DFC David F. Clark Remington-Lee, Hotchkiss Rifles, Colt, Starr, Remington and Savage Revolvers, Colt Gatling Guns 1861-1886
EF E. Ferrar Starr M1858 .44 Revolvers 1860-1868
GKC George K. Charter Starr Navy Revolvers 1861
GSM G.S. Morse Starr Revolvers 1862
BH Benjamin Hannis Allen & Wheelock, Colt M1860, Remington Elliott, Savage Figure 8 and Starr Revolvers 1861
JSD James S. Dudley Lt., USA Colt M1860 and Starr .44 Revolvers 1861-1870
JT John Taylor Colt M1860 ,44 Revolvers, Starr and Savage .36 Revolvers, Sharps New Model 1859 Military Rifle 1861-1862
JTB James T. Baden Lt., USA Remington, Starr and Savage Revolvers 1862-1864
JWK John W. Kelly Lt., USN Remington and Starr .44 Revolvers 1853-1864
LAB Lester A. Beardslee Lt.Cdr., USN Starr Revolvers 1860
LCA Lucian C. Allin Colt Dragoon, Massachusetts Arms Co., Adams and Starr Revolvers 1859
RHKW Robert Henry Kirkland Whiteley Capt., USA Aston Navy Pistols, Colt Dragoon and M1851, Starr and Savage Revolvers,
RPB R.P. Barry Capt., USA Remington, Starr, Rogers & Spencer Revolvers 1860-1865
SPB Samuel P. Baird Lt., USN Starr and Whitney Revolvers 1861-1873
STB Samuel T. Bugbee Starr Revolvers 1861

 

[Patrick H]

Welcome from Missouri. I like your revolver and would be proud to own one like it.