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Custom Stevens-Ross Marlin Ballard Muzzle Loading Target Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Custom Stevens-Ross Marlin Ballard Muzzle Loading Target Rifle
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
serial #23048, 33-40, 31 3/4" No. 4 weight full octagon barrel with an excellent bore. This is a classic full Stevens custom Ballard with a Ross rifled Stevens barrel. The rifle features Stevens Pope Special stocks, lever and palm rest along with a Pope windage adjustable folding tang mounted peep sight and globe target front sight. The Stevens barrel is factory numbered to the action and bears Ross' mark beneath the forend "R / 3" as well as "HMP". This ''HMP'' mark is thought to be an indicator of Pope's approval of a Fred Ross rifled barrel. The condition of the rifle is superb with the barrel retaining about 98% original blue finish with just the slightest wear on the high edges. The frame retains 97% vivid original Stevens color case-hardened finish. The checkered pistolgrip walnut buttstock and forend retain 95% original finish with quite strong checkering. The forend checkering is fine and fancy and cut around the Pope palm rest. The stock shows several cracks at the action. These have been repaired some time ago and seem sound; the time and expense should be invested to have a top shelf professional properly repair these cracks - the rifle is more than worthy of the effort. The rifle is equipped with factory adjustable double set triggers, original false muzzle and wooden loading rod. In addition to the open sights the rifle is equipped with a Stevens 475 telescopic sight mounted on target blocks and rating excellent with slightly cloudy optics. The barrel is also cut for Pope mounts. Fred Ross was a well-respected competitive shooter and an employee of Stevens who worked as Harry Pope's assistant. Ross was also an accomplished barrel maker and after Pope's departure in 1905, Ross took over barrel making responsibilities for the custom and Schuetzen department. This rifle bearing Ross' number 3, is a very early example of his Stevens barrels of which only a handful are known. An extremely handsome and high condition example of these fine Stevens altered Ballard rifles formerly of the prestigious Warren Greatbatch Collection. (1E11511-24) {ANTIQUE} [Dr. Robert Davis Collection] (10,000/15,000)