Guns International #: 103309677

Category - Ballard Rifles - Antique Rifles - Single Shot

Category
Ballard Rifles
Antique Rifles - Single Shot

EXTREMELY EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE BRASS FRAME BALLARD, BALL & WILLIAMS .38RF OCT.

Description:
EXTREMELY EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE BRASS FRAME BALLARD BALL & WILLIAMS MANUFACTURED .38 RF, OCT. SPORTER #19X. Ball and Williams was the first to manufacture the famous Ballard single shot rifles between 1862-1865. By the serial number, this would have been one of the earliest. According to John Dutcher’s excellent and detailed Ballard book, “Scarce variations are sporting rifles made with brass frames, breechblocks, levers and butt plates. After forearm nosecaps were introduced, they, too, were made of brass. I’ve recorded the following brass action rifles: serial numbers 161, 189, 298, 316, 657, 658, 816, 984, 1487, 1489, 1493, 1497, 1500, 2486, 2487 and 4607. That’s sixteen rifles, and I’d guess something over 200 were made...They were finished with silver plating on all brass parts…” This example is a “fresh” one that was not in Dutcher’s records. By the low serial number it is probable that this was a first year 1862 manufacture. Of the few of these I’ve encountered over the years, this is the first that still retained some silver on the receiver, breech block etc. Also, this is one of the best examples I’ve seen as it not only retains some good silver on the receiver and much on the lever bottom and breech block, but it retains fine even and deep blue on the 28” octagon barrel. It has the correct spring loaded manual ejector on the bottom of the forend. The forend is excellent. The butt stock with correct brass butt plate is fine and shows some handling marks. It also has a stress or age crack coming forward on both sides from the lower butt plate screw- not all the way forward and the wood is not chipped out. It is minor and a little glue held in a clamp would stabilize it. The action is tight and the barrel, receiver and breech block have matching serial numbers. The small buckhorn rear sight appears original and retains the elevator bar. Front sight is a Rocky Mountain blade. Amazingly, the bore is bright and excellent with only some light corrosion spotting ahead of the chamber. As the photos show, still some uncleaned tarnished silver on the receiver, lower tang, lever and much on the breech block. The barrel is marked “BALL & WILLIAMS” over “WORCESTER, MASS.” The breech side of the barrel is also marked “MERWIN & BRAY AGT’S.” over “NEW YORK.” One of the most unusually attractive single shot rifles ever made and one of the earliest to use fixed cartridge ammunition. 

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .38 Rimfire
Manufacturer: Ball & Williams Ballard
Barrel Length: 28
Condition: FINE+
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT

Price: $3,650.00