The Ballard #3 was in great shape, with a excellent bore, and had a special order tang sight, plus special order shotgun buttplate stock. Unusual for a #3 that normally has a steel crescent buttplate. But more unusual were the features and serial numbers. It's a early JM Marlin stamped receiver, but has a serial number that's higher than any JM Marlin marked Ballard I've ever seen? John Marlin incorporated in 1881 and the company name changed to Marlin Firearms Co., and a new rollstamp for Ballards began around 1881-1882 era. That change happened around serial numbers in the 9000 range, but this JM Marlin #3 is in the 18,000 range, about double the norm and should make it a 1886-87 era manufacture. It has all the features of an early JM Marlin Ballard, but how it got later serial numbers is nuts. I took it all apart to ensure it wasn't mixed parts, but numbers match on receiver, barrel, block halves, buttstock, and forearm. While checking numbers I also discovered Birmingham England proof marks under the barrel, and on the left side of the receiver and breech block.
Puzzled by the whole rifle, and can't think of a logical explanation for how it could have been completed pre 1881, and get the old rollstamp, but not be serial numbered until 5-6 years later?
