above the firing pin is the last 3 digits of the serial number under the firing pin locking pin is 110
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this also shows up on several other parts that also have the serial nimber

thank you 
tom

Tom, call Kim Boyd, Editor of the Single Shot Exchange and order these back issues (803)628-5326:
* August 2011 - Ball & Willuams, Civil War Era Ballard Sporting Rifle
* September 2011 - Another Ball & Williams, Civil War Era Ballard Sporting Rifle
* October 2011 - A Ball & Williams, Civil War Era Ballard Kentucky Pattern Musket
* Optional: May 2012 - A Brown Manufacturing Co Ballard Rifle, Converted into a Sporting Rifle
Each article includes the history description of each B&W rifle type, patents, complete rifle description details, address stamps, diagrams and pictures

I'm going to let you study the articles because I see variations from the pictures you posted, ie. hammer and number of barrel bands for starters though the Civil War Era Ballard Musket Converted and Sporting Rifle are the only models with a manually spring activated extractor forearm lever in 46 caliber.

Might add, there are no other published Ballard reference sources as detailed as these by William Roth, my best friend, now deceased

Thank you Marlinguy, I have taken a few more pics to give more detail to the fore-stock

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the extractor is detailed here, I believe it has been modified from the original 
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the breech block 
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thank you 
tom

With the mismatch on the serial number located on the forearm, and the epoxy filler, it shows the wood was on a gun with external extractor.
Interesting to see the "110" number on the flat spring under the extractor. Maybe that's what ties the "110" to the gun; the modified extractor.

Quote:



???? Looks like 789 on the breechblock, and 762 on the forearm. Is there another serial number on the forearm? If so, I'd guess it was added when the forearm was put on this gun.

Large firing pins are typical for BP rifles but, CF is not for Civil War weapons. I don't know the date that the first CF was produced but, I thought it was after the Cilil War.  I would guess that the CF configuration is later than when the rifle was first made.

Frank

That block is interesting. My one piece block has a slot for the hammer nose to fall through to strike the rim. Your block appears to not have the slot, but only a hole for the pin to pass through. It may be that from age and picture quality we just can't see the part of the hammer nose slot that is filled by some metal? I have never seen or heard of a one piece that has a center fire pin that didn't show modification of that slot. I like this gun. Neat find. I love the old early examples of experimentation and progress.
If you ever take that hammer out would it be possible to make a photo copy of it  next to a ruler and post it or send me a copy? I have inquired many times over the years to see a solid one piece block hammer and to date, have never seen one I could copy and make. Tons from the two piece. I own a few of those hammers, but the one piece has to be slightly different. The two piece hammer won't fit into the alotted hammer space of a one piece block. I just want to see the difference someday. Not asking you to take yours out, I have to imagine it is a pain to get it back in, but if you ever DO take it apart for your own purpose.....

Merwinbray