Page 196 - 4094-BOOK3

LOT 3286
Very Scarce Civil War Martially Inspected U.S. Starr Arms Model 1858 Navy Double
Action Revolver - Serial no. 1063, 36 cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Not to be confused
with the more common .44 caliber Army model, this scarce Martially inspected Starr Arms Double Action Navy .36 caliber
percussion revolver is one of 3,000 in total manufactured, and one of 1,902 Navy .36 revolvers purchased by the U.S. Ordnance
Department. Most government purchased Starr Navy Revolvers lack ordnance inspection markings, with this example one of the
rare exceptions. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, six-shot cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The
loading lever, trigger, and hammer have a color casehardened 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.” below
the cylinder. The opposite side of the frame is roll-stamped: “STARR’S PATENT JAN. 15, 1856.” in one line. Matching serial number located on the barrel, frame, cylinder (also marked “FD”),
hammer slot, hammer, grip straps, and on top of the one piece grip. Boxed script “JWK” (John W. Kelly) Ordnance cartouches on both grip panels.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% bright original high polish blue finish with brown patina
on the barrel, cylinder with scattered flaking and mottled brown patina, and most blue
finish concentrated on the frame with loss on the grip straps and trigger. Loading lever
and hammer turned to a gray brown patina. Grip is also fine with some light chips on the left
bottom edge, some light handling marks, and visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity
to own a Civil War Martially marked U.S. Navy Starr!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3285
Rare Presentation Factory Cased, Serial Number 39,
Allen & Wheelock Sidehammer Navy Revolver with
Accessories - Serial no. 39, 36 percussion cal., 8 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
circa 1858-1861, this is one of less than one hundred first model
revolvers with the friction catch. It has a desirable eight inch full octagon barrel with a nickel
silver front and frame groove rear sights, cylinder roll engraved with a woodland game scene,
and two-piece walnut grips with glossy varnish. The underside of the frame is roll stamped
“PATENTED JAN. 13, 1857” preceded by the serial number “39”, which is also marked on the
trigger guard, barrel, rear cylinder face, cylinder pin, and the left side of the front strap. The
revolver is housed in a hardwood presentation case with red velvet interior divided into five
sections. The case contains a partially full cap tin with green U.M.C. label, lead balls and conical
bullets, a varnished brass powder flask, bullet mold, tool, and key. The top of the case has an
inscription plaque marked “Presented/TO/F.O. Bigelow/by the members of the Social Reading
Club/Medford Dec. 6th 1860”. Francis Oliver Bigelow (Feb. 6 1823-Feb. 25, 1862) of Medford
was the son of Colonel Abraham Bigelow, leader of a local regiment of mounted militia and
commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts from 1827-
1828. Among his relatives is Revolutionary War colonel, and later head of Springfield Armory,
Timothy Bigelow who fought in many important battles including: Lexington and Concord,
Valley Forge, West Point, and Yorktown. Other members of the family served in important
positions including as Mayor of Boston and Massachusetts Secretary of State.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 70% of the original blue finish on the barrel with some
edge wear and patches of brown patina. The remaining components mostly display a gray
patina, but there are some small patches of finish and some fiery case colors. The grips are
very good with smooth glossy varnish, a few faint scratches, and some slight edge wear.
Mechanically fine with clear markings and engraving. The exterior of the case is very fine
with some minor dings and scratches on the wood, and some dark patina on the plaque. The
interior is faded and stained, but in fine condition. The accessories are all in very fine condition.
This is a desirable cased set centered on a very rare revolver.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
Serial Number 39
194