Here is the description a fellow sent me on a 38-55 Ballard he wants to sell me. He doesn't seem to know much about these rifles. I can buy this rifle for under $1400...

A fully functional, personally ordered Gallery Rifle in 38/55 . Numbers matching. Has double set triggers and checkered, pistol grip which cost $5.00 each when rifle ordered. It has the full 24" Octagonal barrel. The stock was professionally repaired over 100 years ago. It came from an estate of a civil war general outside of Boston and was handed down to relatives. Serial # is under 30,000 and is all matching Bore is 99% and action still retains case colors

By the serial number can we tell if it is forged or cast?
What is a "Gallery Rifle"?
What is your opinion on the price?

Thanks!

If you plan to shoot it, I'd sure worry about forged or cast.  Under $1400 I'd still buy it, but if it's a cast receiver I'd change it to another caliber.
Ask the seller if it's a two line or three line address. Wont definitely narrow it down to cast if it's 3 line, but will increase the odds it is cast by a lot.
The features, and the fact he's calling it a "gallery rifle" might indicate a #3 Fine Gallery that's been reworked. A 24" barrel could be more in line for a #3, or it could be the seller doesn't know where to measure from, and is confused.
Ask him if he's checked numbers for barrel, frame, stocks, etc., and at what points he's measuring the barrel length. Might be measuring from muzzle to front of the receiver, which would mean it's really a 26", and still a shorter than standard, but not stubby like a 24" would be.
Might not hurt if seller could send you a few pics, as even under $1400 I'd not want to buy sight unseen.

The other possibility is that the rifle was modified shortening the barrels down to 24 inches or so was popular in the 30s around the Davenport area. Take a look at the rifles being held in the photos in the front and back of the Ballard book. To the untrained eye the work would look old enough to pass for original.

40 Rod

I'm rooting for you Roy.
Just be careful you don't buy a pig in a poke.
The only "gallery' rifle I know of is a cast frame #3.

I GOT IT! Driving to get it tomorrow....4.5 hours each way! $1500 made the deal.

He says it is not a Gallery Rifle, but now says it is a "Perception" ??

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Here is some more info he gave me and he says there is paperwork with it:

It was ordered at Keelan's in Dedham Sq.(Massachusetts) for Civil War Gen. Stephen Weld of Rockweld Estate (MIT Guest house) in 1882.  In 1993, the Marlin archivist told me it was a $40 gun as ordered. Using black powder loads the rifle is very accurate at 100 yds. The receiver is forged steel of the era.

We'll all find out tomorrow!

The seller says the paper work shows the barrel being ordered as a full octagon (Not sure about the length) and that all serial numbers match. He says the wood has serial numbers. Is this typical?

Leaving in the AM to go pick it up!

Can't wait to see it....

marlinguy wrote on Feb 8^th, 2014 at 6:58pm:


I'd vote for a #8 also; with a different or special order barrel ?
with a different butt plate, or maybe dehorned ???
I hope it's original wood.
It'll be interesting to hear--The Rest Of The Story