Marlin Ballard of France

[Txomine]

Hello everyone
My apologies for my English.
I am happy to have found your forum dedicated to Marlin weapons.
I introduce myself: I live in France near the border with Spain more precisely in the Basque Country.
Some time ago, I had the pleasure of acquiring a Marlin Ballard. I did some research on the internet but I did not really manage to identify the model with certainty. Could you help me?
The rifle is in caliber .22RF, 29-inch octagonal barrel, double triggers, engravings on each side, a diopter system (what's left of it) and a scope rail. The serial number is 86XX (four-chiffres number).
I intend to repair it soon by restoring the whole thing, find a diopter system and why not find a scope. May be you could also help me on this subject.
Below are some pictures (Sorry I didn't manage to orient them all properly.)
Thanks in advance
Txomine

[marlinman93]

Your fine Marlin Ballard appears to be an early JM Marlin variation, but I can't quite make out the stamp on the top line of the left side? It is a custom built version, not a factory built Ballard, but the action appears to be all original, and factory engraved. Since it's been altered it's tough to say which model it started out as, but if the modified lever is original, then it was likely a #6 Scheutzen model. Forearm, barrel, and lever are all either modified, or replaced, but buttstock, buttplate and action appear to be the original #6 Model.
These reworked variations are quite common as Ballard rifles were considered one of the finest competition rifles, and shooters modified them to their own preferences. Yours is a fine example of a modified Ballard.

[Txomine]

Hello and thank you for your identification.
The fact that it is a personalized version confirms my difficulty in identifying it with certainty.
The first line of the stamp is:
"J.M. MARLIN NEW - HAVEN. CONN.USA." (classic)
I imagine that the fact that it is a personalized version prevents an exact dating, but would you have an estimate to within a few years
Could you direct me to some addresses for the dioptre system and the scope?
Soon, I will remove the foregrip to hope to know more about the origin of the barrel
Best regards
Txomine

[marlinman93]

Hello and thank you for your identification.
The fact that it is a personalized version confirms my difficulty in identifying it with certainty.
The first line of the stamp is:
"J.M. MARLIN NEW - HAVEN. CONN.USA." (classic)
I imagine that the fact that it is a personalized version prevents an exact dating, but would you have an estimate to within a few years
Could you direct me to some addresses for the dioptre system and the scope?
Soon, I will remove the foregrip to hope to know more about the origin of the barrel
Best regards
Txomine

I can get pretty close with your 86xx number and the JM Marlin rollstamp. Around serial numbers in the 9000 range John Marlin incorporated his company, and the name changed to Marlin Firearms Co. on all rifles made. That happened in late 1881, so my guesstimate would put your Ballard rifle around 1880-1881 era.

The tang sight is referred to as a Marlin Improved Vernier version, and it is adjusted only in elevation, not windage. Looking down on the adjustment knob from the top you turn it clockwise to raise, and counter clockwise to lower point of impact.
Your tang sight has a bend in the staff, and before trying to adjust it you should remove the picot screw and straighten the staff first to get the bend out. Supporting both ends of the staff and gently pressing down at the center of that bend will usually straighten them easily. Just push a bit and check it with a straight edge until it's good, and then return it to the base.

A large number of these fine old Marlin Ballard rifles were customized. They were extremely popular with shooters, and many reworked theirs to make them exactly what they wanted. Your barrel is very European in appearance, especially with the rib just in front of the receiver that many European barrels had.
I'd be proud to own a nicely customized period Ballard such as yours is! I have quite a few custom Ballards among my Marlin Ballard collection, and I think they're great!

[Txomine]

Thank you for all this information.
For the Tang Sight, I saw that it was bent, and I had every intention of restoring it before using it; do not worry . I will allow myself to ask my last question again: do you have any addresses where I could get recent Verniers and Tang Sights (or better yet in New Old Style)?
Indeed, I am happy to own this weapon as well.
Thank you again for your support
Txomine

[Txomine]

Sorry, I meant New Old Stock
Txomine

[marlinman93]

Thank you for all this information.
For the Tang Sight, I saw that it was bent, and I had every intention of restoring it before using it; do not worry . I will allow myself to ask my last question again: do you have any addresses where I could get recent Verniers and Tang Sights (or better yet in New Old Style)?
Indeed, I am happy to own this weapon as well.
Thank you again for your support
Txomine

There are several companies here in the US that sell quality tang sights, but only one sells exact copies of the original Marlin Ballard vernier tang sights. That company is The Original Sight Co. in Gillette, Wyoming. Tony's sights are such good copies that his parts fit originals also.
MVA makes a wonderful sight, and I own several on old Ballard rifles. For quality, accuracy, and repeatability there's none any better than MVA. And their sights have the bonus of having windage adjustment in their Soule sights also.
Only problem might be whether their are export issues. A number of US companies wont export gun parts since 2001 after restrictive rules went into effect. You may have to email these companies and ask if they will send their products overseas.

[Txomine]

A very big thank you for these addresses;
I will contact them
cordially

Txomine