Marlin-Ballard .22? What exactly is this?

[chooks9]

Years ago, my father came across this rifle he referred to as a Scheutzen (sp?) rifle. Not as many years ago, I ended up with it and stored it away. It is chambered in .22LR with an incredibly heavy barrel made by Stevens and a falling block receiver made by Marlin. It also has a Lyman Polaroid sight.

Could this be a Marlin-Ballard? What is this?

 

[joppaj]

It's gorgeous, but I have nothing useful past that.

 

[outrider58]

A Historical Look at the Ballard Rifle - RifleShooter

The Ballard rifles were fine single-shots that saw service in the U.S. Civil War and were popular gallery rifles.

www.rifleshootermag.com

Many configurations. Yours looks pretty rare(but I am in no way an authority).

marlin ballard rifle - Google Search

 

[Brickman301]

From the little bit I know about these rifles, it’s a Ballard action made by Marlin. It was pretty common for STEVENS to make barrels or re-chamber barrels for the rifles years ago.

That is a very beautiful rifle, and I bet it shoots wonderful as well.

 

[Idaho]

Post on ASSRA forum and you will get your answer.
Do not sell that rifle. You should take it to the next Columbia Scheutzen match at Thurmont. PM me if interested in that endeavor.

 

[jr355]

Late 1800's early 1900's target rifle. The ball is the hand rest for offhand shooting. Cross index Pope target rifle. Some had a removable false muzzle which was tapered to gently engrave the bullet before it was rammed home. This applied to larger calibers usually.

 

[Augie]

Can't help with any details but it's a gorgeous rifle. With the different make barrel and receiver I would think a custom rifle which was common with these type rifles.

 

[emerald]

Very very cool. Absolutely a keeper.

 

[wilcam47]

https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/products/148931-marlin-ballard-22-lr-r28961.html

Palm rest

 

[Bigsawer]

I always thought Ballard was a particular type of rifling cut.

 

[Biggfoot44]

That too .

It was the style of rifling used by the Ballard Rifle Co back in the day .

 

[Doco Overboard]

It looks like a Stevens / Ideal 44 1/2 action off the top of my head.
Because theirs double set triggers, that’s a qualifier for a particular action mechanism.
I could look at some text from one of my DeHass books to be sure.
The bracket for the palm rest looks like it was added at another time.
I’m not sure if was made at the same time the rifle was built up ,or after being refinished at some other time.
Up close photos of the extractor and FP arrangement would be interesting to see.
Theirs a couple of distinct methods for accomplishing that sort of thing and conversion characteristics from the original chambering if there was one.

 

[Trigger Time]

Very cool rifle, looks like it's in great condition too.

 

[calicojack]

Very interesting. Also the additional info from the responses. Thanks for posting.

 

[chooks9]

It looks like a Stevens / Ideal 44 1/2 action off the top of my head.
Because theirs double set triggers, that’s a qualifier for a particular action mechanism.
I could look at some text from one of my DeHass books to be sure.
The bracket for the palm rest looks like it was added at another time.
I’m not sure if was made at the same time the rifle was built up ,or after being refinished at some other time.
Up close photos of the extractor and FP arrangement would be interesting to see.
Theirs a couple of distinct methods for accomplishing that sort of thing and conversion characteristics from the original chambering if there was one.

Thanks for the info!!

I’m sure the palm rest and the Lyman Polaroid sight were “later” additions. The rifle is drilled/tapped for a tang sight, which seems to be the norm based on my research.

I did take an image of the extractor - not super clear but it looks like one, that’s for sure…

I did take a couple of other images - the workmanship that went into this rifle is simply not available in a commercial firearm today. I never paid attention to the engine turning on the trigger “housing”, or the many screws for the set and fire triggers.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I had a brain fade , but finally came thru .

CPA Rifles of Dingmans Ferry , PA makes a 44 1/2 action out of modern steel available as just action , or custom rifle to your specifications.

Just the actions start at $1,550 . Yes , it's expensive . But if you paid gunsmith shop rates to rebuild and blueprint an original action, it would add up quickly , and still have 1903- 25 steel .

 

[BurkeM]

Scheutzen Rifle - A single-shot rifle of German conception for off-hand target shooting. Typically heavy, with long (often fluted octagonal) barrel, high comb with prominent sculptured cheekpiece, palm rest and extended-curve buttplate.

 

[Brent]

What a wonderful rifle. Ballards are some of the more elegant single shots in terms of fine gentle lines. Great actions, I imagine that would shoot really well. I’d recommend doing some digging and getting info. If you’re curious I could maybe put you in contact with someone who in my opinion has one of the deepest pools of knowledge on Ballard history.

He could likely direct you to all kinds of details to narrow down your rifle, maybe even a builder given some marks…shoot me a PM and I can try to put you in contact with him. Older gentleman.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doco Overboard]

Thanks for bringing this one back up.
Earlier I had misidentified the rifle but have since looked into it a little further out of interest.
It seems as if this one is the single shot rifles of single shot rifles.
The design has a storied history and timeline between Ballard / Marlin in regards to improvements, licensing, construction, marketing,materials etc.
It’s a keeper for sure noted as the most prevalent design for single shot accuracy and was chambered up to 38/55 which appears to be its limit for safety and strength.

 

[DanGuy48]

Beautiful. Thanks for posting.