Ballard Carbine .44 caliber

[DanielKennedy]

I picked up this Ballard at auction late last year, was planning on setting it up for shooting this year, but I'm moving and there's a new job, so that just isn't going to happen. :(


I've posted some pictures here, take a look at them to get an idea of condition. It will need to be rechambered of course, the sites likely won't work for skirmishing, and it will need a centerfire conversion of some sort. The rear stock has been pin together at some point in it's life, quite a long time ago I suppose. The front barrel band is not original, and I don't believe the rear sling attachment is either, but they are functional. The trigger is surprisingly good on the gun. The bore picture isn't so great, it will likely need cleaned up, a bit, I don't know if a reline will be necessary or not. The guns part match serially throughout.

Please email me for more detailed pictures, or other questions at dkennedy@alumni.cedarville.edu, or you can call me at 937-215-3203.

If you would like to purchase it, I am willing to ship it insured via USPS. I will likely not make it to spring nationals this year unfortunately. To that end, I would be glad to offer a 3 day inspection for the carbine to the buyer. I'm looking for $1100 out of it if possible. Standard payment via check, money order, cashier's check, or via gunpal.com would be fine.


http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0001%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0002%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0006%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0007%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0008%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0009%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0010%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0012%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0013%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0015%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0017%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0018%20(640x480).JPG
http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF0019%20(640x480).JPG

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

Looks like a nice project gun. Can we see the buut plate style and the front sight? also how long is the barrel? Just trying to determine if it is military or civilian model and then how much $$$ it would take to fix up. Thanks

[DanielKennedy]

Good questions, meant to get those covered.

http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF6702.JPG

http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF6703.JPG

http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF6704.JPG

http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF6705.JPG

http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF6706.JPG

http://usera.ImageCave.com/dk8019/ballard/DSCF6707.JPG

Looks like a military buttplate as I understand it, barrel at ~20.5" from receiver, it's at 22" from barrel end to breech face, front site is dovetailed in.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

I see a really nice military carbine for someone. It only needs a rear military sight, a period extractor knob and a period barrel band to put it back into what it looked like during the Civil War. Thanks for the extra pictures.

[DanielKennedy]

No problem Bruce, I've read a bit more information off the barrel, hard to read, but fine in the right light:

On right side of barrel:
Ballard Patent
Nov 5 1861

Top of barrel:
Ball & Williams
Worcester, Mass

Left side of barrel:
Markings incomplete, but appears to read
MERWIN & BRAY, AGT'S
New York

No other stamps that I can find so far. From what I've read here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=64y8aMc9tt8C&lpg=PA79&ots=lAc6_GhQVP&dq=military%20ballard%20barrel%20length&pg=PA79#v=onepage&q=military%20ballard%20barrel%20length&f=false

This makes it a Kentucky contract as the serial is 2144.

Finally, I'm flexible on the price, my wife and I have a down payment to put down on the new place, so the quicker the better folks!

[DanielKennedy]

Need this gone gentlemen, first $900 takes it. Would prefer payment via paypal or gunpal to speed things along.

[Mike w/ 34th]

Is it rimfire only or combination rimfire and percussion?