STARR ARMS CARBINE Info needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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This is certainly not my area of expertise.......

Was offered to buy.... a Starr Arms paper cartridge, .54 caliber percussion breech loading 1858 carbine. Told it was still shootable and in decent shape for a rifle that probably had seen service in the Civil War. Was told..... it is stamped, 1st Arkansas Regiment.Tomorrow hopefully I will take some pictures. I'd like to post them here but I have no idea how too, but the least I can do is post more info.
Are these quite collectible? I have no idea what something like this is worth, if it is in decent,"original" shape. I will have to make an offer!!!
In the meantime I'm trying to do a little research.
Your thoughts and input appreciated!!!
 
Made from1861 until 1864 Starr Arms produced 20,000 1858 carbines like the one you mention, for the Union forces during the Civil War. In 1865 the Starr was modified to use metallic cartridges. The Union ordered 3,000 of these before the end of the Civil War. More than likely, your future purchase was a cavalry piece. While still quite collectable ,IMO, I would not call it an ultra rare piece. Condition will be everything when determining a fair price. The quick little digging I did this morning stated that there were a 1000 rifles ordered by the 1st Arkansas Volunteer Regiment & there is one up for auction in the States right now. Albeit a long way from closing bid...

I'm sure someone will chime in with a lot more knowledge and information than I have on the subject. It was a good rifle and well regarded in it's day. Not sure how many counterfeits were or ever made of this model, as I stated before, there were a fair number made.

IMO and not seeing any pics yet; unless the piece is in excellent to mint condition, I'd put it's value under 2k... Again someone will probably tell me I'm wrong...LOL!
 
Mine is well used externally, perfect internally with tight action and shiny bore. Action and bore were heavily coated with old grease. Missing hammer when I bought it; replaced the hammer with a reproduction. IIRC, I paid $400, plus the hammer. Easy to shoot, although it hits high at 25y. The breech does not leak gas. First shot it using a .562 round ball with a greased wad behind it, and a chamber full of FFg. More recently, I have used a Lee .54 hollow based bullet, well lubed. The Michigan cavalry (Custer's unit) were also issued Starrs.
 
Well I went and looked at the Starr Carbine. Interesting to say the least!! I did look like it had a bit of a rough life cosmetically, but the action was nice and tight but what really, really impressed me was the condition of the bore. I thought it would reflect the outside cosmetic condition but to the contrary I was absolutely shocked .....it was simply beautiful!!! It was very bright and shinny, absolutely no pitting at all and the lands and grooves were just in beautiful shape......wow was I shocked and impressed. Somebody had taken real good care of that bore, we are not talking about a 20yr old gun here but something that probably has been around since and has probably seen service in the civil war. I was astonished!!!! It was Arkansas regiment stamped as well.
I did take pictures but have no idea how to post them......too bad!!!!
 
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