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RARE Brass Frame Ballard Octagon 44 Cal Rifle 1865

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:2,600.00 - 4,200.00 USD
RARE Brass Frame Ballard Octagon 44 Cal Rifle 1865
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You are bidding on a Rare Brass Frame Ballard Octagon 44 Cal Rifle. This rifle features a 26" octagon barrel, fancy walnut stock, and manual ejector. This rifle has been mentioned in several publication such as Flayderman's Guide To Antique American Firearms and it states "Under 50 estimated made." While John Dutcher states in his impressive Ballard book, "I've recorded the following brass action rifles..." (he lists the numbers) "…That's sixteen rifles, and I'd guess something over 200 were made." This one is an example in the most desirable big .44 caliber with matching numbered steel breech block and lever, serial number 16694 and not one of the sixteen rifles recoded in Dutcher's book, original 26" octagon barrel is marked only "No. 44" (for caliber) and the matching serial number, right side of the brass receiver marked with two line "Ballard's Patent, Nov. 5, 1861" and the left side marked in two lines "Merwin & Bray, Agt's. New York." Bottom manual cartridge extractor intact. Interestingly, the left side of the long hammer has patent markings that indicate the breech block has the very rare alternate percussion system built into the Ballard breechblock (as shown on P.15 of Dutcher's book), deep aged blue/brown barrel patina, fine bore, two leaf flip up rear sight with blade front, mellow uncleaned and unpolished brass receiver and butt plate, fancy walnut stock and forearm showing higher grade grain and burl than standard, A very unusual variation of an already rare rifle, almost never encountered for sale. The rifle does show some cracks in the forearm and stock. The rifle was manufactured in 1862-1865. NO FFL transfer or NICS background check required. The serial number 16694.