I recall reading in a gun magazine or something a few years back that during our conflict in the Philippines the .38 caliber revolvers that (some) of the soldiers were armed with had a tough time stopping enemy personnel. Some times an entire cylinder would be emptied into an opposing combatant and he would survive to cut down the hapless man armed with the revolver. This information was no surprise. What I was surprised to learn however was that some apparently mothballed, civil war era Starr double-action percussion revolvers were taken out and issued to some troops because of their increased stopping power (why the Starr and not the 1860 Army it didn't say, or for that matter why the SAA just wasn't taken along). Anyone else ever hear anything about this? Was it a rather widespread practice or perhaps just with a few units? The idea at least seems valid, but I would like to find out if it really occurred.
Starr revolvers in the Philippines
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Tommygunn
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The Philippino rebels our military dealt with used to take wet "thongs" and wrap their testicles, and when they dried they shrank they caused excrusiating pain which hyped up the adrenaline in their systems and "super-charged" their fighting ability. Or, atleast their determination. Under such conditions getting shot didn't stop them (unless it TKO'd their central nervous system) and they simply kept on coming until they bled out. While the 38 caliber revolver got a lot of blame for this it appears this also happened when rifles were used.
I have heard that early large bore revolvers were brought in but I don't recall them being Starrs, though I suppose it's possible. I would have thought a cartridge gun would have been used though.
I have heard that early large bore revolvers were brought in but I don't recall them being Starrs, though I suppose it's possible. I would have thought a cartridge gun would have been used though.
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I would discount the story. The Army did send some 1873 Colt Single Action revolvers, and purchased some Colt 1878 D.A. 45's for the Philippine Constabulary. I highly doubt that with metallic cartridge revolvers available they’d send long obsolete percussion arms. In 1909 they adopted the Colt New Service in .45 Colt, and Frankfort Arsenal made a special cartridge for it. For all practical purposes the Model 1909 was issued exclusively to forces in the Philippines, and it did the job. It was later replaced with the model 1911 .45 pistol.
It is possible that there were some private shipments of surplus Starr revolvers made to the Philippines.
It is possible that there were some private shipments of surplus Starr revolvers made to the Philippines.
DixieTexian
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I seem to recall hearing something about this before, probably on this site.
Race Bannon
Member
If memory serves, I read somewhere, years ago that Starr revolvers saw very little if any use during the civil war. Again, if I remember correctly the government bought a substantial number but never issued them. They were held in storage for about fifty years then sold as surplus. While I think it would be an odd choice for issue in the Philippines I do believe that at that time the army still had access to a large number of them.
Tommygunn
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Misfire said:
Naaahhh, I heard that on G. Gordon Liddy an' I'm stickin' to it. They may have wrapped their abdomens but they wrapped their testicles too.
Snaggletooth
Member
I googled Rogers and Spencer. The Insurrection was in the late 890 I think. The R&S was brought in to service because of its stopping power. The *800+ fps with the .44 ball made it a stopper on the Moros.
Rogers and Spencer Revolvers in the Philippines
I have read the quotes in some sources that the Rogers and Spencer revolvers were used in the Philippine Insurrection against the Moros, but don't recall that about Starr revolvers. I am looking for some evidence, either written or photographic, that they atually were. It is well documented that the military was not satisfied with the stopping power of the .38 long colt. There is also ample evidence that SAA .45 cal Colts were issued to the army during that conflict. It would seem hard to believe that the military would issue percussion revolvers at that late date. However, many of the troops who particapated in the Philippine Insurrection were State militia "Volunteers" who often had to do with obsolete weapons (like the Springfield Trapdoor) and often acquired weapons outside of normal supply channels, so anything could be possible. It is documented that Bannerman bought most of the Rogers and Spencer revolvers at auction in 1901, and it is possible that some of them may have been channeled to troops in the Philippines. If anyone has seen any documentation to support this assumption please point me in that direction. TIA
I have read the quotes in some sources that the Rogers and Spencer revolvers were used in the Philippine Insurrection against the Moros, but don't recall that about Starr revolvers. I am looking for some evidence, either written or photographic, that they atually were. It is well documented that the military was not satisfied with the stopping power of the .38 long colt. There is also ample evidence that SAA .45 cal Colts were issued to the army during that conflict. It would seem hard to believe that the military would issue percussion revolvers at that late date. However, many of the troops who particapated in the Philippine Insurrection were State militia "Volunteers" who often had to do with obsolete weapons (like the Springfield Trapdoor) and often acquired weapons outside of normal supply channels, so anything could be possible. It is documented that Bannerman bought most of the Rogers and Spencer revolvers at auction in 1901, and it is possible that some of them may have been channeled to troops in the Philippines. If anyone has seen any documentation to support this assumption please point me in that direction. TIA
scrat
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Hey new member. Dhartz Welcome to THR
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