HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT J. M. MARLIN No. 1 HUNTING RIFLE, .44 EXTRA LONG C.F/RF, #421

Description:
HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT J. M. MARLIN No. 1 HUNTING RIFLE, .44 EXTRA LONG CENTER FIRE/RIM FIRE, #421. This rifle is mentioned by serial number in John Dutcher’s excellent and complete book BALLARD The Great American Single Shot. This is the definitive book on Ballard Rifles. The No.1 rifle has the patent date of 1875 indicating the first rifle in the Ballard line to have a reversible firing pin for either Rim Fire or Center Fire cartridges. Also, this was the first model to have the inside automatic extractor. Before this, all models had the external extractor knob extending down from the rear of the forearm which was pulled back when the action was open to manually extract a cartridge case. Only a couple hundred or so of this model were made from about 1875-1878. Dutcher was able to examine No. 1 Hunting Rifles between serials 278 – 421 (this rifle) and remarks that #421 would be near the end of production for this model. With so few made, these important Ballards rarely show up for sale. Survival rate is also probably fairly small considering these were last made almost 150 years ago. This example with standard 26” medium heavy round barrel has matching serial number 421 on the barrel, receiver and on both sides of the two-piece breech block. It has the original short folding ladder rear sight with the very short folding portion ladder broken off of the original swivel base with the small buckhorn leaf intact. Front sight is a Rocky Mountain blade made from a Liberty Nickel (made from 1883-1912). The barrel is an uncleaned aged brown. The receiver shows the correct J. M. Marlin markings with the 1875 patent date. Like the barrel, the receiver is a deep aged brown patina. Action is very tight with the lever snapping up securely and strong safety half cock. Reversible Rim Fire/Center Fire firing pin is intact (set for Center Fire). The forearm is fine and shows only light handling. The stock shows the usual age/stress cracks coming back from the receiver for a few inches on each side with some very minor chipping around the upper rear portion of the stock where it meets the receiver. Correct steel crescent butt plate is also numbered 421 on the inside. Surprisingly very fine bore that ought to brush out to near excellent. In all a most attractive and extremely rare/important Ballard rifle that is seldom encountered in any condition. 

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .44
Manufacturer: MARLIN
Model: No. 1 HUNTING RIFLE
Serial Number: 421
Barrel Length: 26" ROUND
Condition: VG
Bore Condition: FINE+

Price: $2,450.00