Starr Revolver

[jerryaustin]

I just recently purchased this Starr single action revolver, SN 26232. There is a military inspector cartouche on each grip. I can only read one. I believe it is JLD, However, I am not positive. Anyone know who the inspector might have been? Can't find JLD in any of the data bases.

 

[UCVRelics]

I just recently purchased this Starr single action revolver, SN 26232. There is a military inspector cartouche on each grip. I can only read one. I believe it is JLD, However, I am not positive. Anyone know who the inspector might have been? Can't find JLD in any of the data bases.

If you could post some photos we can see just what the cartouche is. Looking forward to seeing you Starr.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I suspect this is JSD for James S Dudley who inspected Starr revolvers and Colt 1860 revolvers.
That streak pattern of the blue on your frame is just how these Starrs age. I suspect as the frame was shaped / forged, the metal was hardened to different extents and that meant the bluing acted differently. So, this is just how a nice and honest Starr can look.
Congratulations!

 

[jerryaustin]

I suspect this is JSD for James S Dudley who inspected Starr revolvers and Colt 1860 revolvers.
That streak pattern of the blue on your frame is just how these Starrs age. I suspect as the frame was shaped / forged, the metal was hardened to different extents and that meant the bluing acted differently. So, this is just how a nice and honest Starr can look.
Congratulations!

Thanks so much.

 

[Bonedaddy]

A very good looking Starr. Thanks for showing.

 

[JOHN42768]

Hi, Your JSD stands for John S. Duston on the left grip. The right grip could also be JSD or STB. Post a photo and we will take a look as unable from the right side photo.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

There are two "JSD" inspectors who fit the time of inspection on this, and the listing I have shows John S. Duston inspected unspecified arms in 1862 & 1863 and my suggestion of James S. Dutton inspected Starr Revolvers and Colt 1860 revolvers between 1861-1870, so I figured he was the better guess.
But I am not a Starr revolver collector or expert, and my suggestion was based on the fact that Duston was not listed as inspecting any particular arms and Dutton was shown as a Starr .44 Revolver inspector.

 

[JOHN42768]

There are two "JSD" inspectors who fit the time of inspection on this, and the listing I have shows John S. Duston inspected unspecified arms in 1862 & 1863 and my suggestion of James S. Dutton inspected Starr Revolvers and Colt 1860 revolvers between 1861-1870, so I figured he was the better guess.
But I am not a Starr revolver collector or expert, and my suggestion was based on the fact that Duston was not listed as inspecting any particular arms and Dutton was shown as a Starr .44 Revolver inspector.

My response is based on "U.S. Military Arms Inspector Marks" 240 page book by Anthony Daum & Charles Pate. They list him for the following Starr: M1863 SA, M1858 DA, Also Colt 1860 & Merrill 2nd Carbine. In their book they do not list a James S. Dutton at all. What is your source of listings ?

 

[UCVRelics]

I would say proof house who has them both listed.

JSD	James S. Dudley Lt., USA Colt M1860 and Starr .44 Revolvers 1861-1870
JSD	John S. Duston 1862-1863

ProofHouse.com

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I do have an inquiring mind, and I do want to know!
Yes, I was looking at the Proofhouse chart. I also highly respect Charles Pate's research abilities.
I don't know when these two sources were put together.
This is a good example of research references that may reflect new or corrected info.
But, I do think that we all believe that that middle initial is not an L but is an S, right?

 

[JOHN42768]

I would say proof house who has them both listed.

JSD	James S. Dudley Lt., USA Colt M1860 and Starr .44 Revolvers 1861-1870
JSD	John S. Duston 1862-1863

ProofHouse.com

Richard , you are looking at Dudley and Jeff is stating Dutton. Jeff, both Dudley & Duston have the letter S as a middle initial. I still don't see Dutton in Proof House. The book was published in 2016

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Yes, as I said, the web site PROOFHOUSE has a readily accessible chart of inspectors initials. The Proofhouse site and this list of inspectors has been on-line for many more years than the Pate book, and so it earlier. Pate surely knew of it, and he is a fan of original research using original documents, so I would trust the Pate book more as a general rule.
As you say, I "turned" the "Duston" name listed in proofhouse to "Dutton" in my post - that's my dyslexia talking!

 

[JOHN42768]

Well Jerry now you know JSD inside and out

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Well Jerry now you know JSD inside and out

I suppose we'll have to check also backwards and forward - what would DSJ stand for?

 

[jerryaustin]

Thanks, everyone, for all the great information. Here is a photo the right grip. Let the guessing begin. The second letter looks like a "T" and the last letter does look like a "B". Maybe it is STB.

 

[jerryaustin]

The initials on the left and right grip are different, for sure. So, why would two different inspectors sign off on this revolver? I have a Remington Army with a single set of initials (GP) on the left grip. Not two as on the Starr. Are two sets on different initials on the grips unusual?

 

[JOHN42768]

STB for Samuel T. Bugbee is your cartouche. Re: "U.S. Military Arms Inspector Marks"