Original Rare U.S. Antique Marlin Ballard Patent .22cal Target Rifle with Peep Sight & Figured Stocks - Serial 3130 - Pre-1883
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Original Item: One of a Kind. This has to be seen and handled to be justly appreciated. It is in really excellent condition, and comes fully Factory engraved with Deer and Buffalo/Bison featured on either side of the frame. It bears serial number 3130 on the bottom front of the receiver, indicating manufacture before 1883, which is when Marlin records start. The HEAVY Octagonal barrel is 28" in length, and with the .22cal rimfire ammunition, probably would barely move when in use. Overall length of the rifle is 43 5/8 inches, and this was definitely intended for use with the match shooting craze of the late 19th and early 20th century.
This is a popular design fielded in the early 1880s, in a variety of calibers, most of them larger, but they were usually custom ordered. This example still has the patent and maker information marked on the side of the frame:
J.M. MARLIN. NEW-HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.
PATENTED FEB. 9 1875
BALLARD'S. PATENT. NOV. 5. 1861.
The action is a falling breech activated by a "snake" shaped lever which acts also as the trigger guard. It has an exposed hammer on the rear of the block, which must be in the forward position to open the breech. The figured walnut butt stock has a wonderful grain with a checkered grip area, and has a lovely cheek piece on the left hand side. It does show a bit of cracking and wear, and terminates in a lovely hook shaped brass butt plate. The fore stock is also figured walnut, tipped with horn, and has some lovely checkering for a better grip.
The action functions well, and we did not notice any mechanical deficiencies. The rear of the receiver is fitted with a lovely long range "peep" sight, which works well with the blade front sight. The bore however does show quite a bit of use, so the owner of this definitely enjoyed their match shooting.
A lovely example of a Rare Marlin Ballard Target rifle, ready to research and display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: Before 1883
Caliber: .22 cal
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 Inches
Overall Length: 43 5/8 Inches
Action type: Exposed hammer falling block
Feed System: Single Shot.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is not available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.
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