Here is the whole biography of General Stephen Weld who was the original owner...

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Tuesday Weld was a Great GrandDaughter and Massachusetts Gov Bill Weld was a twice removed first cousin. Talk about Yankee Blue Bloods!

Yes, the serial numbers shown all look correct. Definitely not a Marlin rear sight, and the correct sight and elevator are nearly impossible to find, plus very expensive. The correct rear sight has the little pointed "ears" on the rear on each side, and the "harpoon" style elevator.
Like this:
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So what model does this seem to be ???
A special order #8 ????

Maybe it was set back ???
That would explain the shortness.

firearmdoc wrote on Feb 10^th, 2014 at 10:12am:


Only the lighter barrels had that feature. The heavier barrels had no flare on them. 

Royb that rear sight is approximately 3.5" long from point to rear. about .5" from point to center of the dovetail.
Later early 1900's Marlin sights were the same, except for those little ears omitted. Still tough to find, and I buy every one I see of either type if their priced right. There was a couple guys making correct elevators cheap, but both sources I had dried up. 

RoyB wrote on Feb 10^th, 2014 at 12:17pm:


Correct. I doubt that barrel was set back. Impossible to determine if it was shortened without examining the barrel, and even then couldn't determine for sure if it was done properly. Almost all Ballards I've examined had the front dovetail located very close to 1" on center from the muzzle. Off more than 1/16", and it's most likely been shortened. The crown on your rifle looks factory style. If the dovetail cut under the barrel showed something different than what I usually see under a front sight, or different location, then I might question it, but no reason if it all looks good.