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Thread: Tom Ball Revolvers

  1. #1
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    Tom Ball Revolvers

    I recently acquired an R&S revolver. I thought it was a standard repro, but along the bottom of the barrel is marked:

    .457 T.F.Ball and then the twist of the rifling. I am to lazy right now to go to the safe and get it to remember what the twist is.

    I assume this means it is a Tom Ball tuned revolver, but have never examined one. Is this how he would have marked them if he worked on them?

    Thanks
    Terry
    Always do what you always done and you'll always get what you always got.

    I have found some have many years experience, and some have one year of experience many times.

  2. #2
    efritz is offline
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    It means that Tom re-barreled the gun. Anything else would have to be assumed unless confirmed.
    When in doubt, mumble, when in trouble, delegate.

  3. #3
    Ron/The Old Reb Guest
    You probably have one of Tom's early revolvers. When Tom Incorporated himself he marked all his revolvers Ball Accuracy along with the serial number of the frame on the bottom flat under the loading leaver. I never saw him mark the rate of twist on any of his guns. This why I think that it maybe one of his first. He also could have made this revolver special for someone who wanted the rate of twist marked on the gun. It more than likely has a Hoyt barrel on it. Because that's who made Tom's barrels for him. If my memory severs me right I think that Tom used a 1 in 13 twist on his revolvers. He has been going twelve years now and a long time good friend. Hope his helps.

  4. #4
    ballac is offline
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    I have a R&S Tom Ball revolver and this is what is on the bottom of the barrel under the loading lever.

    .457" RB serial no. of the gun T.F. Ball 1 in 16" 85'


    The gun has a trigger job, a trigger stop ,cylinders alligned and boared. I also got a target that was fired a 25 yds with the load info. on the back I gave the gun to Tom at a fall nat. and it was returned to me in March of 1985.

    Hope this info helps
    Huron Rangers Co E 5th Mich. Inf.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by ballac View Post
    I have a R&S Tom Ball revolver and this is what is on the bottom of the barrel under the loading lever.

    .457" RB serial no. of the gun T.F. Ball 1 in 16" 85'


    The gun has a trigger job, a trigger stop ,cylinders alligned and boared. I also got a target that was fired a 25 yds with the load info. on the back I gave the gun to Tom at a fall nat. and it was returned to me in March of 1985.

    Hope this info helps
    The markings under the loading lever are identical to mine.
    Thanks. Look forward to finding out how accurate it is.
    Terry
    Always do what you always done and you'll always get what you always got.

    I have found some have many years experience, and some have one year of experience many times.

  6. #6
    ballac is offline
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    Unless you are a Master pistol shooter the gun will be more accurate than the owner. Mine is.
    Huron Rangers Co E 5th Mich. Inf.

  7. #7
    Rlevin is offline
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    Tom ball revolvers

    What load works?.Russ LevinBerdan C2Reply to rlrvin73@verizon.net

  8. #8
    Rlevin is offline
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    Load for Tom Ball Revolvers

    I purchased an unfired Tom Ball revolver. What load works best???


    Russ
    Berdan C2

  9. #9
    Ron/The Old Reb Guest
    Tom tested all his 44's with 20grs of Goex 3F. If you had the test target that he supplied with each gun he sold. It would have six shots in one raged hole.

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