Starr Carbine
Starr Arms Company · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1858
Also known as: Starr Model 1858 Carbine, Starr Capping Breech Loader
Overview
The Starr Carbine is a single-shot, breech-loading percussion carbine designed in 1858 by Ebenezer Starr and produced by the Starr Arms Company of Yonkers, New York. It uses a falling-block (split-breech, drop-block) action operated by an underlever, allowing a cavalry trooper to load a .54 caliber paper or linen combustible cartridge ignited by a conventional percussion cap. Roughly 35,000 were made between 1858 and 1867, and the carbine saw extensive service with Union cavalry during the American Civil War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3360 g (118.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 950 mm (37.40") |
| Barrel Length | 530 mm (20.87") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .54 Starr Percussion · primary — also known as .54 paper cartridge, .54 linen cartridge
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Split Breech Drop Block, Paper Cartridge Loading, Linen Cartridge Loading, Percussion Cap Ignition, Saddle Ring, Three Position Rear Sight
Variants
- Starr Model 1865 Carbine — Rimfire Conversion
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1861
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 35,000 · Production years: 1858-1867
Approximately 25,000 percussion Model 1858 carbines plus roughly 5,000 Model 1865 rimfire carbines were delivered to the Union government during and after the Civil War.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ebenezer Starr
Discontinued: 1867
Notes
A distinctive web connects the tail of the breech lever to the underside of the butt. The carbine could not accept a bayonet. The later Model 1865 was redesigned to fire the .56-50 Spencer metallic rimfire cartridge.
Background
In January 1858 Ebenezer Starr submitted his single-shot breech-loading design to the Washington Armory for evaluation, and the resulting carbine became one of the more numerous breechloaders carried by Union cavalry. When percussion arms fell from favor at the war's end, Starr reworked the design around the .56-50 Spencer rimfire cartridge as the Model 1865.