Hello All,

I'm a newbie when it comes to collecting old rifles so I want to thank you all in advance for any advice you can offer me. I look forward to picking your brains in the days to come.

I have an opportunity to purchase two rifles. I can't afford both so I was hoping this forum would steer me in the right direction. 

Rifle #1 is a Winchester first model HiWall Winder Musket in .22LR. The rifle is in very good to excellent condition as is the bore. The rear sight is Krag style and the steel rod cleaning brush is still intact. Asking price is $2,400.

Rifle #2 is a Ballard Marlin Gallery #3 in .22LR. This rifle is also in very good to excellent condition and it includes an original rear peep sight. My concern is that the octagon barrel has been replaced. It is stamped "Remington" so that would make the rifle unoriginal. Asking price is $1,600.

I wanted to know what is the better choice and value from a collectors perspective.

Thanks again for your help.

I'd go with the Ballard, tho if it was a few hundred $ lower I'd like it more. As mentioned above, the Winchester is noticeably over-priced.

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Hopefully I can say this here, but belonging to the Win Collectors forum and here, I can say this if all Win parts and the collector value isn't damaged (extra sight base holes, etc.) then Bert H on the Win Collectors forums would give you a better estimation of value. He is a noted authority on the Winders, as I have sent him pictures of my take-down model.

But for non-Win values, like Pope or Rem barrels on that Ballard, then items of 'collector' value to single shot enthusiasts are better advised here. At least by my experience so far. FYI, I came here (and joined ASSRA) from the Win Collectors.

They both seem over priced to me in these times. One being a long way. Think in terms of what can I get for it if I have to sell it. The Ballard is closer but still way up there...Don

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I can make any replacement part "matching" with steel number stamps.

If it's a #3 with a factory-installed Rem barrel, call John Dutcher at once--you've found the rarest Ballard ever made.

The owner of this rifle is believes it was constructed by Harry Pope using the Remington barrel. Why he thinks that I have no idea. If Hope installed the barrel wouldn't it have a distinct H. M. Pope stamp or similar markings? If so, where would these markings be located? I'm going to have a look tomorrow and put this to rest once and for all. Thanks again for all the comments!

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Though highly improbable, I suppose that can't be ruled out as utterly impossible, as even so cantankerous a character as Pope might have done special favors for special friends; but as everyone knows, it's certainly nothing he made a regular practice of doing.   

But before I believe that, I'll believe that the seller has won for himself this year's Gold Medal from the International Liar's Club.  This year, did I say?  Possibly he has retired the prize.

Not one cent over $1000, in my opinion--and that would be NO bargain.

Seems to me you REALLY want this gun, original or not, but try to remind yourself that #3s are the most commonly encountered Ballards.  What I'd do with it, IF the gun is otherwise very clean, is ditch the Rem brl. & have a replica Ballard brl. made.  Possible to get away with this (assuming a skilled barrel maker), because except for caliber, Ballards barrels are unmarked.