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VERY SPECIAL BALLARD NO. 5 PACIFIC A-1 SINGLE SHOT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
VERY SPECIAL BALLARD NO. 5 PACIFIC A-1 SINGLE SHOT

RIFLE. Cal. 44-100 Marlin Everlasting. S# 1424. In 1875, The JM Marlin Co. began it's production of the greatly improved Ballard rifle. The Pacific No. 5 was built as a hunting rifle for the lg. game of America's Far West. Left side of receiver is marked "J. M. MARLIN NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A. / BALLARD'S PATENT. NOV. 5 1861". Bbl. 32" oct. Combination front sight, filler in rear dovetail w/ mid range vernier tang sight. Dbl. set triggers & finger loop lever. Smoke prints of the engraving of this unusual high grade rifle are found in several books. The book "Ballard, The Great American Single Shot Rifle" by John T. Dutcher, shows its smoke prints on pg. 155 w/ the following description "Factory engraved Ballard Pacific by L. D. Nimschke in 1877. Serial number 1424. This Pacific is done in the style of the Ballard A-1 Mid Range, and Long Range rifles. However, it's a very special job w/ extra engraving wrapping under the frame & additional scrolling w/ over/under scroll work surrounding the Pacific & Ballard A-1 wording.". This is the only identified No. 5 Pacific w/ factory engraving. The smoke prints are also found on pg. 76 of R. L. Wilson's book "L. D. Nimschke, Firearms Engraver" & pg. 223 of R. L. Wilson's book "Steel Canvas, the Art of American Arms". V shaped inlaid horn & bone tipped forearm & straight hand stock of fancy walnut have point pattern hand checkering & checkered horn shotgun buttplate. The steel tipped hardwood cleaning rod is held under the bbl. by 2 faceted iron thimbles. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: paperwork detailing the rifle & referencing smoke prints from sources stated in description. CONDITION: bbl. finish has faded to a mottled brown patina showing scattered marks. Action has faded to a silver gray patina showing spots of surface corrosion & retaining sharp clear engraving. Forearm has freshened checkering & added finish over dents & handling marks w/ a sm. crack extending from left side of tip. Stock has added finish & freshened checkering over wear w/ sm. dents & handling marks having sm. cracks extending from the action. The bore has a lightly frosted darkened appearance showing scattered pitting & retaining intact rifling. Sound triggers & action. (01-20067/DS). ANTIQUE. $12,000-18,000.