A British Military Starr Carbine

A British Military Starr Arms Co. Percussion Carbine. Serial No. 36242
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SOLD
ID: 2161

A British Military Starr Arms Co. Percussion Carbine. Serial No. 36242, round blued sighted barrel fitted with rear-sight and stamped STARR ARMS CO YONKERS N.Y. and S.T.B. at the breech, steel action stamped STARRS PATENT SEPT 14TH 1858 steel barrel band and butt-plate, Walnut stock and fore-end, the stock stamped WD and incredibly rare British military carbine. 


This carbine is basically an upgrade of the STARR capping breech loading carbine. Towards the end of the Civil War, the STARR company could see that metallic cartridge arms were the way to of and modified the design of their capping breech loader carbine to handle the Spencer Cartridge. The U.S. Ordnance purchased 5002 of these, the first 1000 delivered in March 1865, too late for the Civil War, consequently many went west and all eventually sold off as surplus. In 1866 there was a great fear of war between the U.S.A. and Britain; America accused Britain of supporting and supplying the Confederacy and wanted cash or Canada. The military authorities immediately set about upgrading Canadian defences and the Ordnance authorities approved the purchase of 2250 Spencer 3 band rifles, a quantity of Spencer Carbines and 250 STARR carbines all for issue in Canada (although some are listed as in store in the Tower). All items were new and not surplus and although purchased and paid for by the British Government most of these Spencer and STARR arms were given over as a gift to Canada along with 40,000 Snider rifles. 


Some Spencers & Starrs came back to the UK and are listed in store here; it is believed that the STARR carbines issued in Canada went to batteries of Artillery and the Spencer Carbines to the cavalry. 


This example is in very good condition with a good stock, most blue to the barrel and traces of colour to the action. A fine example and exceptionally rare British Military gun. 


Dimensions:

Bore: .52 Rim-Fire

Barrel Length: 21 Inches (67.31 cm)

 

Overall Length: 38 Inches (109.22 cm)  

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