1420

SCARCE MARLIN BALLARD NO. 6 1/2 RIGBY OFF-HAND SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
SCARCE MARLIN BALLARD NO. 6 1/2 RIGBY OFF-HAND SINGLE SHOT TARGET RIFLE.
Please Note (3/1/13): Cal is actually 40-63 not 40-65. SN 28495. Cal appears to be 40-65 Ballard. Fine target rifle with 30" medium weight rnd bbl that has Rigby style ribs over the chamber area. It is fitted with wingauge globe front sight, no rear seat and a mid-range vernier tang sight. Mounted with very highly figured, streaky, marblecake French walnut with horn schnable tip checkered forearm and checkered pistol grip stock with serpentine grip cap and cheek piece with nickel plated steel Swiss buttplate. SN is found on the bottom front edge of receiver, front face of buttstock, under the wood, rear face of forearm under wood and inside buttplate. Receiver has a full finger loop lever and is engraved, probably by Conrad Ulrich with the vignette of a bull and a cow elk on left side and a running bull elk on right side, all surrounded by wonderful foliate arabesque patterns that have fine shaded background. Engraving extends over the top three flats of receiver and around rear sight. Rigby flats are also engraved with top flat having a folded ribbon engraved "BALLARD" and a double ended arrow. These rare rifles were in production only from 1880 to 1882 with very few having been produced in that short period of time. Inside channel of the forearm is marked in pencil "W.H. MINCK / 1887" and "FROM HENRY J. LANING / TO: IRMA LANING 1935". According to consignor this rifle was passed down through the Laning family to the current family member, although there is no indication of who Mr. Minck was in relation to the Laning family. Although this rifle has had poor storage, it appears to be completely original in configuration which is somewhat unusual to find as the old time target shooters frequently altered their rifles to suit their individual tastes. PROVENANCE: W.H. Minck; Laning Family. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl retains a thin blue patina mixed with light surface rust; receiver retains faded case colors. Wood is sound without the usual cracks in wrist with light handling and use nicks and scratches and overall retains most of its fine, original varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-47687 JR253