May 23rd 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/22/2015
Offered is a beautiful factory engraved Ballard manufactured by the Ball & Williams Co. dating to the 1860's. It is similar to the engraved Ballard found on page 42 of John Dutcher's book. Standard features include a 30" full octagon barrel, falling block, single shot, plain trigger, deluxe checkered walnut stock, and rifle butt. There are three sight slot cuts on the barrel. One houses the front globe sight, the rear is for a standard sporting sight, a Ballard tang sight is attached, as per page 43, and the extra front sight slot could be utilized to mount a early style tube scope. the barrel is basically a mix of blue softening patina with some freckling. Chambered for the .38 rimfire cartridge. The left side has almost full coverage engraving with antlered game, while the right side panel is engraved with a floral motif, as is the bridge and tang. It has a brass fore end tip. the wooden stock is excellent with no cracks or chips, and the checkering is sharp as new, with the usual light hunting abrasions. Perfect action. Strong clean bore. there are two factory drilled holes behind the sight that would allow a screw mounted tang. Wonderful condition extremely rare early Ball & Williams Ballard that would look great mounted with an early style scope.