Marlin Ballard 32-40

wilsgj · Post by **wilsgj** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:28 pm

Identify WHICH Marlin Ballard rifle I have
32 inch barrel, 32-40 cal. Rocky Mt sights, schuetzen type stock, double triggers, no checkering but beautiful wood, no evidence of a tang sight sight ever being installed. Beautiful condition.

podufa · Post by **podufa** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:04 am

A picture would help. What is the lever ? What is the writing on the left side of the receiver?

wilsgj · Post by **wilsgj** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:02 pm

podufa wrote:A picture would help. What is the lever ? What is the writing on the left side of the receiver?

I have an 1885 copy of Marlin's catalog and A Guide to the Ballard Breechloader by George J.Layman. The writingon the left side of the receiver is: Marlin Firearms Company, New Haven Ct U.S.A; Ballards Patient Nov 5, 1861. The lever is the full finger or later type.Thanks for the comeback

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:23 pm

Sounds like a Union Hill #8, ordered without checkering, or possibly stocks were refinished, or replaced. Ballards could be ordered with any option the shooter wanted, so omitting the checkering was easy.
You can pull the throughbolt and see if the stock numbers to the receiver. It should be stamped on the edge of the stock that mates to the receiver with the same serial number.
Pictures would really help, as lots of Ballards were reworked over the years! Check page 104-108 of Layman's book.

Regnier (gunrunner) · Post by **Regnier (gunrunner)** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:03 pm

Wilsgj;

Is the barrel full octagon or half octagon? This could be a Number 10 Schuetzen Junion too. There is a picture of one without checking on page 280 of John Dutcher's book, Ballard, the Great American Single Shot Rifle.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:38 pm

Yes, it could be a #10 also, especially if the 32" barrel is a heavy one, and the frame is not rebated.

wilsgj · Post by **wilsgj** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:15 pm

marlinman93 wrote:Sounds like a Union Hill #8, ordered without checkering, or possibly stocks were refinished, or replaced. Ballards could be ordered with any option the shooter wanted, so omitting the checkering was easy.
You can pull the throughbolt and see if the stock numbers to the receiver. It should be stamped on the edge of the stock that mates to the receiver with the same serial number.
Pictures would really help, as lots of Ballards were reworked over the years! Check page 104-108 of Layman's book.

I couldn't figure out how to get the pictures on the site. I can email them to interested parties. I removed the stock and the serial no. on the stock and butt mplate match the rifle.

wilsgj · Post by **wilsgj** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:21 pm

Regnier (gunrunner) wrote:Wilsgj;

Is the barrel full octagon or half octagon? This could be a Number 10 Schuetzen Junion too. There is a picture of one without checking on page 280 of John Dutcher's book, Ballard, the Great American Single Shot Rifle.

The barrel is half octagon,I remeasured and the length is 32".

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:13 pm

I'd enjoy seeing pictures of your Ballard!-Vall
marlinguy@juno.com

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:13 pm

After viewing pictures of wisgj's Ballard, it appears to be a Union Hill. The barrel is a special order long one, but it is not the heavy barrel of a #10, as it has the "tulip" at the juncture with the receiver. This would indicate it is a lightweight barrel, as used on #8 Union Hill model.
It also appears to have been ordered sans the checkering that was common to Union Hills, as it has smooth stocks.
Just thought I'd let you guys know how this worked out.-Vall

schlicter · Post by **schlicter** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:07 pm

i should be able to help with pictures. i have the dutcher book and have been spending a lot of time with it lately. vic

Marlin Firearms Collectors Association