November 5th & 6th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2016
Manufactured 1867-68. Stamped is No. 38 on barrel flat. Made in Newburyport, Massachusetts. In 1866, Edward Bray purchased land in Newburyport to construct a factory for manufacturing the Ballard rifle. Factory opened its doors on June 25th, 1867. Rifles were built under the Merrimack name for under less than one year before the Brown Manufacturing Company took over. Only 2,300 Merrimack Ballards were ever assembled, most of which were sporting rifles, serial range 18021 to 20326. One of the first Merrimacks to be equipped with the improved breech block was serial No. 19622; this rifle can be found on page 55 plate 5-8 in the Ballard Rifle book by Dutcher. The rifle features full octagon barrel, adjustable military style rear sight, dove tail blade front sight, matching serial number on barrel and top of frame, flat top octagonal frame. Left side has the "Merrimack Arms Mfg. Co." stamp. Utilizes a falling block action that was case hardened. Typical walnut factory varnished straight grip walnut stock with rifle butt. The ejector mechanism protrudes from the bottom of the forearm and has a metal forend tip. Rifle remains in excellent condition. Barrel retains 90% or better original factory blue. Case colors have tinned out and darkened. Walnut stock is excellent with nearly all the original finish with two completely closed usual hairline 1" grain separation at upper wrist. Fine visible rifling. Overall, a very fine original extremely rare early Ballard.
Caliber/Bore
.38 long rimfire
Manufacturer
Merrimack Arms