Hubalek Small Frame Ballard Type Target Rifle Hubalek-Worn Hammerless
Description:
Serial #17, .22 LR, 25 1/2" heavy target barrel with an excellent, bright bore.
This is a very interesting rifle, assembled by famed barrel-maker Arthur Hubalek on a small, Ballard style, hammerless action.
The barrel itself is finished in-the-white with crisp “A. HUBALEK / SPECIAL" marking near the breech, and visible machine marks along the entire length.
The frame, which is built to resemble a small frame Ballard action and is fitted with a striker-fired breechblock.
The frame has bright, newly-applied color case-hardening, and engraved scrollwork vignettes on both sides, as well as visible casting flaws along the edges.
The muzzle is dovetailed for a front sight, but none is present, and a Lyman Junior Targetspot scope with yellow filter, and original two-piece box is fitted.
The checkered walnut forend and pistol-grip buttstock have some minor handling marks in the original varnish, and the steel buttplate also has vivid color case-hardening.
These rifles were the brainchild of famed target shooter Arthur Hubalek, who began making custom barrels using a proprietary rifling system of his own design in the late 1920s.
Sometime after he went into business, he began offering complete rifles, either built on an existing Ballard action, or on a hammerless Ballard-type action, sometimes called a “Dorhn action", but probably the design of NY gunsmith George Worn.
This particular example was once part of the collection of Ben Park, a Kansas City target shooter who knew Hubalek personally, and, as attested to in an attached affidavit, purchased this example directly from Hubalek at a small bore match in Chicago during the late 1930s.
This is a superb example of a little known, and extremely rare, Hubalek-Worn target rifle, and would make a fantastic addition to any collection.
Ref: “Ballard - The Great American Single Shot Rifle", John T. Dutcher; (2002)
FFL or C&R
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer:
Hubalek
Model:
Ballard
Serial Number:
17
Caliber Info:
.22
Gauge Info:
.22