Product Description
RARE KENTUCKY Contract CIVIL WAR Era Ball & Williams BALLARD Military Rifle
One of Only 3,000 Made & Issued in 1864
Here we present an antique Kentucky Contract Ball & Williams Ballard Infantry Rifle, made in 1864 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Ballard is an interesting rifle in that it began its career during the American Civil War, when it was produced in relatively small numbers (only about 24,000 from 1862-1873) by five different manufacturers. It was ultimately made a commercial success when made into one of the staples of the Marlin Company. Charles H. Ballard invented the rifle and the famed arms agents Merwin & Bray secured government contracts and lined up the firearms companies to make them.
This example is one of only 3,000 that was purchased by the highly contested state of Kentucky during the conflict. This rifle features a long (30 inches), round barrel, chambered for the .46 rimfire cartridge. It also features a spring-loaded manual ejector, the knob of which you can see below the forearm. This rifle, while not being a repeater, was a huge improvement over the muzzle loading rifle-muskets being issued en masse to most soldiers of the war. It was much shorter than the rifle-muskets and used rimfire cartridges, making it faster and more reliable to shoot and handle. In fact, this rifle is only about 8 inches longer than most Civil War carbines.
The overall condition is good. Original patina. The forearm is original and the butt stock is a replacement. The action is excellent. The bore is in very good condition with strong rifling. The rear sight is a replacement buckhorn with the left horn broken off.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 30 inches.
Caliber: .46 Rimfire
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$2200
#230592