From "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms", 9th. Edition, page 634-5;
(my comments in brackets)
Starr Cartridge Carbine. Made by Starr Arms Co., Yonkers, New York. Total quantity: 5.002.
The first 1000 were delivered by March 9th. 1865 and were issued to the Winchester, VA. Ordnance Depot at the end of the month. By April 10th., 2.000 more carbines were received; the balance of the order completed by May 25th. 1865. (The cartridge carbine evidently did not see action during the WBTS.)
.52 caliber rimfire. (same cartridge as .52-56 Spencer)
21" round barrel.
Iron barrel band. (as opposed to the percussion Starr carbine, which had a brass barrel band.)
Buttplate and barrel blued, with casehardened lock and frame.
Walnut stock.
Sling ring mounted on left side of the breech.
Identical in most respects to its percussion predecessor, this model has a smaller, straight hammer.
Major markings are the same as on the percussion model, and serial numbers were continued from those arms. The Starr company went out of business in 1867.
Values in 2007: Good: $ 1.100,- Fine: $ 2.750,-
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Peter Schiffers: "Civil War Carbines: Myth vs. Reality", pages 115 - 123 gives a good description of the percussion Starr carbine, its ammunition and practical use.
Schiffers concludes that the bad reputation of the percussion Starr carbine during the WBTS was mainly due to two causes:
- The original Starr linen cartridges lacked lubrication, thus causing excessive fouling and poor accuracy.
- The often substituted Sharps linen cartridges, while lubricated, could be pushed too far into the chamber of the Starr, causing misfires.