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Ballard No. 3 .22 Rim Fire Gallery Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,350.00 - 2,100.00 USD
Ballard No. 3 .22 Rim Fire Gallery Rifle
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Early Ballard No.3 “Gallery Rifle” in .22 Rim Fire caliber. This rifle with serial number 15754 is marked “J. M. Marlin” indicating a manufacture date of 1875-1881. After 1881, and until the Ballard rifle was discontinued in 1891, the marking was changed to “Marlin Firearms Company.” The earlier J. M. Marlin marked rifles were made in less numbers and today are scarcer than the Marlin Firearms Company marked examples. This rifle has matching serial numbers on the receiver and on the barrel (under the forearm) and on the rear of the forearm (must be removed to view). The heavier than standard 24” octagon barrel retains fine deep blue that shows only light ageing. The receiver has aged to a very attractive dark patina and retains excellent “J. M. Marlin New Haven, Conn. U.S.A.” markings plus “Patented Feb. 9, 1875” and “Ballard’s Patent Nov. 5, 1861.” The barrel retains the standard issue fixed “gallery rear sight” with small blade front sight. It also is fitted with a Marbles tang sight for more precision shooting. The fancy steel shotgun style butt plate is embellished with a stag and hound motif with an attractive scroll pattern. The action is tight and the bore still displays good rifling. This is one of the earliest pattern single shot rifles chambered for the immensely popular .22 Rim Fire cartridge. The Ballard is considered one of the finest, if not the finest, American single shot rifle and certainly one of the most attractive and sought after 19th century firearms. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check. Matt