October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
Features round barrel, dovetail front sight, single blade rear sight, brass barrel band and buttplate, saddle ring and stud. Left side of barrel stamped "HGS" Henry G. Shaw, known inspector of Starrs. Rear tang is stamped "STARRS PATENT SEP 1". Back action is stamped "STARR ARMS C YONKERS NY". Brass barrel has stamped "U". "B" stamped on rear sight. Starr Arms was started by Ebenezer Starr, son of Nathan Starr, famed Revolutionary War rifle and sword maker. Starrs are mainly remembered for two reasons: when in the fall of 1863 it was issued to Northern Virginia Cavalry and in an early skirmish, only four of their 17 rifles fired; and in the hands of the 2nd New York Cavalry that was formed in 1863, partly armed with Starr carbines, and fought under General Burnside, along with the 9th Army. CONDITION: Base of frame and lever are basically brown patina. Flashes of blue on lower tang. Wood is excellent with usual dings and proud to metal. Superb bore. The Starr had two main attributes, one of which being all the misfires, but it has become infamous in conjunction of the Massacre at Sand Creek, November 29th, 1864 under the command of Colonel Chivington, where, armed with Starr carbines, they advanced on Chief Black Kettle, who was under the white flag of truce and American flag, attacking and murdering over 200 Indians, most of which were women and children. One of the worst Indian massacres at the time. DB
Caliber/Bore
.54 Percussion