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A quick search of your forum did not answer my questions but if there is another thread out there please point me to it.
I acquired a Ball & Williams Worcesrter Mass. marked Ballard military carbine a few years ago. My preliminary research indicates that is probably a Civil War gun due to the low serial # 886. I believe it is a .44 Rimfire and it has the octagon to round bbl. Adiitional markings on flats of bbl include
MERYN & BRAY AGTS
NEW YORK
AND
BALLARDS PATENT
NOV. 5. 1861.
Metal is a nice even patina with little or no original finish remaining to my eye.Wood is fairly rough with one missing piece where stock attaches to metal. There are two interesting markings on the wood. One is the crude initials "A.H." on left side of the forearm. The other is a small (think of an oblong nickel) piece of what looks like lead crudely soldered into the grip area with what looks like 3 brass solders. Stippled into this area are the letters "VAN:".
One reason I bought the gun was that I am a Cherokee Indian history buff and one of the leading Cherokee families here in GA was Vann.
I'll try to post pics soon and thanks in advance on your info on this cool old gun.
regards,
Edwin