Who can bend a Ballard lever?

[Jack C., 69th NY]

I am restoring a Marlin Ballard No. 0 rifle. These very first Marlins were made up from left over Brown Ballard parts. The lever on this rifle is missing but I have a longer Ball & Williams lever with the end broken off. If possible, I'd like someone with knowledge & experience to heat and bend the longer, broken lever to the proper Brown length. I can provide the proper size lever to use as a guide. If there is someone out there that might be able to help and do this for me, please let me know.

Thank you,
PM or your thoughts on this board.

[Kevin Tinny]

Hello:

Suggest you CALL Larry Romano and leave a msg. He builds Ballards and can do whatever you want.

Regards,
Kevin Tinny

[Eggman]

Maybe stepping out on a ledge here but are you sure you can't just bend it. Years ago I bought an original (case hardened) Spencer hammer and bent it in my vice for proper fit to fit my carbine. No heating or nothin.

[Jack C., 69th NY]

Maybe stepping out on a ledge here but are you sure you can't just bend it. Years ago I bought an original (case hardened) Spencer hammer and bent it in my vice for proper fit to fit my carbine. No heating or nothin.

Perhaps that could be possible but I do not know. I've seen more broken levers than bent one so I am thinking that they are too brittle to bend. Thank you for the thought.

[Lou Lou Lou]

Uri Geller can bend that lever

[R Filbert]

Dont try and bend with no heat nothing scares the childeren more than a man screaming like a woman when they hear that POP and you have two pieces!

[Carolina Reb]

I'll second that! I have the front half of a Dwight Chapin Ballard lever that someone tried that with. Luckily, Bruce Cobb had another. I wouldn't count on that happening ever again!