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m2ball
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Muzzle loading ballard
Sep 9th, 2008 at 10:44am
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I have a breach/muzzle loading Ballard.  It has a forged receiver, double set triggers,  a Berg stock, false muzzle, Pope style aluminum bullet starter, loading stick with a Pope style knob.  The barrel was made and installed by Ken Bresine(sp?) in the mid 90's.  He also made the bore to fit an orignal Pope mold that cast the muzzle loading bullet.  It has a Pope style palm rest.  I have only shot this around 100 rounds and it shot thumb nail size groups at 100 yds.  It is in 32-40.

My question is, what is this worth?

Thanks for your help.
  
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Quarter_Bore
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #1 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 11:17am
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We almost need a picture so we can evaluate the worksmanship of the stock and the overall appeal of the rifle. Is the stock old or new? Is the Barrel a rebore of an original barrel?
  
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m2ball
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #2 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 11:43am
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Unfortunatly, I do not have the ability to post a picture.  The workmanship is excellant.  The person who did the woodwork is trained at the Kentucky rifle builders guild and has extensive knowledge of shutzen style rifles, and has owened several origial Pope rifles.  The barrel is newly made (1995) by Bresein.  The wood to metal fit is perfect.

I will try to get a picture posted if I can get my hands on a camera.

Thanks for the help.
  
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boats
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #3 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 12:38pm
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As a shooter figure the cost of a new CPA or Ballard reproduction set up the same way as a starting point. I would also use the CPA or new Ballard workmanship as a standars. They are very good if this one is better it's a plus. Less would be a negative re-sale wise. 

All the extras are expensive too. That muzzle loading set up while intresting is not often seen at matches.  Not sure if someone would pay much more for those extras.  Sights that go with the rifle may make a signifigant difference in value too.

As a collector it may be another thing, but I am reading from your post it is new work done in the old style.  Sky is the limit if it's origional.

Boats
  
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m2ball
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #4 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 12:59pm
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Yes, if it were all orignal I would have a ball park on the price.  The pistol grip receiver is orignal.  It also has a Pope style rear sight made by Mike Stevens and a front sprit level globe sight made by Tom Axtell.

Thanks for the help.
  
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boats
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #5 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 4:10pm
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That Mike Stevens rear sight is worth at least 500 bucks, I sold one several years ago for nearly that, Axtel front is not cheap either Guessing they are nearly 200 dollars.

I really think it would price about the same as a reproduction of the same quality fit and finish.  To get a CPA together with finished stock bullet mold sights and all accroutments is nearly 5K.  Ballard possibly more. Of course if buying new or getting a gunsmith to build you get it set up exactly like you want

I know I passed on a good CPA when looking for a 2nd one some years ago, it was selling for 90% of new price, with a so so stocking job. Had it been half or 3/4 of new price may have bought but that close I went for a new rifle instead.

Not trying to be a smart alex just setting some parameters for you to make up your mind.

Boats
  
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m2ball
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #6 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 4:17pm
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Many thanks for your reply.  I may include a #6 measure and the original Pope Mould, and a reproduction Pope grease pump made by someone in FL. in the mid 90's.
  
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Jeff_Schultz
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #7 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 6:21pm
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Ken Bresien made excellent barrels, and I believe, very few false muzzeled breachloading barrels. He started out making false muzzeled slug guns and later got into breachloaders. His slug guns were "second to none". I believe you have a treasure. Will see some guys that know him well this weekend and
ask some questions.
  

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo

“There is no situation so bad that it cannot be made worse."

  Confidence- The feeling you get before you fully understand the situation.
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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #8 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 6:46pm
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Might not be able to put a price on the rifle without a few good pictures, but it's quite easy to price the individual pieces. 
As was noted the sights have a pretty good value, plus the Bresien barrel and tools are pretty easy to estimate. The Ballard pistol grip receiver, with DST is worth $1,000 minimum, (maybe more) even if it's not perfect condition. 
You can easily get a substantial amount of money, even if the gun were parted out for it's various pieces. Now if we could see pics, the assembled package might be worth even more!-Vall
  
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Jeff_Schultz
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Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #9 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 6:53pm
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I would definitely not part this gun out!
  

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo

“There is no situation so bad that it cannot be made worse."

  Confidence- The feeling you get before you fully understand the situation.
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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Re: Muzzle loading ballard
Reply #10 - Sep 9th, 2008 at 7:48pm
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Jeff_Schultz wrote on Sep 9th, 2008 at 6:53pm:
I would definitely not part this gun out!

Merely a figure of speech. I did not mean he should part the gun out, just that altogether the parts have a lot of value in themselves.
  
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