This Model 1858 Army D.A. revolver was manufactured by the Starr Arms Co., of New York, New York, c. 1858-1862. Between 1862 and 1864 the Ordnance Department purchased approximately 21,000 .44 caliber Starr D.A. revolvers. Many of these revolvers were issued to midwestern Federal cavalry regiments. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, six-shot cylinder, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The loading lever, trigger and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The screws have a fire blue finish. The one-piece grip is oil finished walnut. The round barrel has a dove-tail mounted, iron half-moon, front sight. The rear sight is a groove in the hammer. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped: "STARR ARMS. CO. NEW YORK. NEW YORK." below the cylinder. The opposite side of the frame is roll-stamped: "STARR'S PATENT JAN. 15, 1856." in one line. The serial number is stamped on the side of the cylinder, front of the frame, and in the frame hammer slot. Single letter "J" and "B" Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-Inspection mark which consists of the script initials "RKHW" in an oval. The Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of three script initials in an oval is stamped on the lower right side of the grip.

Very fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the blue and casehardened finish and shows only limited handling and storage wear. There is scattered finish flaking on the left side of the barrel at the muzzle and both sides of the frame near the grip. The finish on the trigger guard and grip straps has worn to a smooth gray patina. The frame screws are excellent with nearly all of the fire blue finish. The loading lever, trigger and hammer have nearly all of the casehardened finish with fiery case colors. The grip is very fine with minimal handling wear, a few small chips and crisp Ordnance inspection marks. Mechanically excellent.