I have most of a Brown ballard that I am having trouble firguring out. It has a heavey 30 " octagon barrel, is a sporting model, dovetailed for a rear tang sight. THough, sadly, the sights are missing.

The barrel is stamped No46. WHich would lead one to think it was a 46 rimfire. Here is where I get confussed. When reading the Dutcher book he refers to some early Browns being made in 44-60, 45 peabody,etc. and that they are six groove instead of the five groove that was more common. My gun is six groove and the chamber is not a 46 rimfire. The block was not with the gun when I got it so I can't turn to it for any answers. I do not really think this is one of the original centerfires but the six groove rifling makes me second guess. I think someone reamed it out long ago.

I was all prepared to take this thing to Hoyt for a reline but am hedging.  I don't want to ruin a could be piece of history. Then again, the stock is horrible, the block and sights missing. Even if it were a rare centerfire, is it really hurting anything if I line it?

I did a chamber cast before the dutcher book came out. I do not remember the measurements but do recall they ended up close to but not exactly like one of the WHat Cheer rounds. Peabody? SOme where I still have the casting and should find it.

WHat would YOU do? 

I do not really see any collector value as is and it could be a nice gun for me to use in schuetzen if I line it and do my part.

According to DUtcher, there were less than 1000 sporting models of any kind of Brown Ballard, so I kind of see it as putting it back on the line in any form is preserving some piece of history. Especially if I do it in traditional Schuetzen trim.

Thoughts? 

I will bring it to the Get Together next month if anyone wants a closer look and has any advice.

Merwin

MOST of the Brown Ballards had a CAST receiver. Only some rare ones with a takedown wedge through the top of the receiver were forged. Mine is in Dutcher's book disassembled. These castings were very good at the time. Not so great by todays standards. If you value your hand, don't chamber it for most centerfire cartridges. A later Marlin Ballard block can be fitted. It's a fair job.  R. B.

I think someone tampered with it along the way. The chamber cast is tapered, not at all the straight wall you might expect a .44 long, or xlong to be. 

The top of the barrel is stamped No 46. Another part of why I think it has been tampered with.

I am pretty convince I am going to make it into a rather safe and heavy .22 and enjoy it. I have a neat old ram horn schuetzen stock that came from "an old Colorado gunsmith shop". So I was told. It is a neat stock that looks good on the gun.

Thanks for your info. That is a neat gun you have in the book!!