Like John Holland has said, no one has been given production approval to build a big frame 56-56 Ballard rifle or carbine. Yes, big frame Ballards can be shot on the line in the Breech Loader 2 Matches. These are originals, not reproductions. They are being shot in their original configuration using an offset primer or have been modified and given a SAC card using an approved centerfire conversion. Historical note: Only a few big frame Ballard carbines were approved and accepted by the US Government, a little over 100. These few are marked Dwight & Chapin and have an acceptance stamp letter D on the frame. I own one. All the rest were rebuilt, remarked, and have mixed numbers and sold to the State of Kentucky. The total production of the big frames is believed to be less than 2000 and most were carbines, not rifles. The highest serial number I have personally seen is in the 1600's. Also just a coincidence is that the .54 cal Mississippi barrels bore is within a few ten thousands of an inch of the Ballards 56-56 bore. I only know a little about these, others I am sure know more.
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