JM Marlin Ballard Pattern Model 1 3/4

[Jscott131]

Hi, I am a new member to this forum and have a JM Marlin Ballard Pattern rifle this is in excellent condition except it is missing the hammer and hammer screw. I am actively looking for these parts if anyone can help. The gun has a 26 1/2" barrel that is mirror bright (maybe the missing trigger has something to do with this). All of the serial numbers match and a fair amount of finish remains on the receiver and the octagon barrel but there is no caliber marking anywhere. I have photos but not sure how to post. Thanks in advance.

[Jscott131]

I was unable to edit my post but the octagon barrel length is 28" and I am looking for the hammer and the lever screw. This gun does not have set triggers so I'm not exactly sure it is a model 1 1/3 but possibly a model 1 Hunters model. The serial number is 2976.

[marlinman93]

Going to be nearly impossible to help without pictures of your Ballard to determine for sure what model it is? Even then finding a spare hammer is going to take some time and lots of searching. I own several spare hammers, and lots of screws, but hate to ever part with any Ballard parts as I have several dozen Ballard rifles to keep going.
If you use the contact system here you can send me an email with pictures or you can follow the tutorial Road King posted here to learn how to add pictures and then maybe we can figure out what you have for sure.

viewtopic.php?t=26600

[Jscott131]

https://albums.memento.com/MarlinBallard

Photos attached, I hope!
Thanks for the response and understand about not parting with rare parts. I would be also interested in purchasing a non-working gun for those parts.
Does any one know how interchangable are some of these parts are especially for a hammer.

[marlinman93]

The pictures help a lot! What you have is a very early JM Marlin Ballard #4 Perfection model. The JM Marlin address stamp was used on Ballard rifles from 1875-1881, and your low serial number is likely an 1876 rifle. The ring lever is also not seen after 1881 when the company switched to the S shaped lever.
Marlin Ballard parts are almost all interchangeable, as long as it's a Marlin Ballard and not any of the 5 previous makers. There were several slightly different hammers used, but all of them should fit in any Ballard breech block. It's too bad someone tossed the broken hammer as they can be fixed almost all the time.
I would suggest you contact Wyoming Armory to see if they still have any Ballard parts, or might be able to fix yours. They are the Ballard experts, and may have something that works if you send them just the breech block alone. They used to make new copies of the Marlin Ballard rifles before selling the business. But still are repairing them these days.

http://www.wyomingarmory.com/

[Jscott131]

Thank you very much! I did reach out but no parts are available. At least I know what model I have and what parts I am looking for.

[marlinman93]

Thank you very much! I did reach out but no parts are available. At least I know what model I have and what parts I am looking for.

Keep an eye on Ebay for a hammer. They do occasionally show up there. I haven't looked recently, but when I was building up my parts inventory I saw them occasionally. Need to check every morning to see if one shows thoguh!