Starr Arms Co. of Yonkers, New York, manufactured 20,601 of these carbines during the Civil War. Designed by Ebenezer T. Starr and initially favored over the Sharps carbines in government tests, Starr carbines often received poor reviews from the troops due to misinformation concerning ammunition. An Ordnance Department officer spread the false notion that the Starr fired the same cartridge as the Sharps, and thus units were sent Sharps ammunition instead of the slightly longer Starr cartridges which led to misfires. When used with proper cartridges, the Starr is arguably one of the best breech loading percussion designs of the era. This example has the standard sights and factory markings, the top of the breech has a 1st Arkansas marking "1/ARK/D" (the "D" is the company), inspector initials "H.G.S." on the left side of the breech, "11376" underneath the barrel and on the right side of the breech block, and brass band and buttplate.

Good, with a mottled brown patina overall and some scattered patches of light pitting. Wood is also good with numerous scattered scratches, dents, and chips from use. Mechanically excellent.