About 12 years ago a customer brought a Ballard rifle into my shop just to get my opinion of it.  It was a #8 Union Hill in completely original configuration except for the George Schoyen stamp on the top flat of the 30" octagon barrel. Marked 32-40, and nothing extra anywhere, perfect bore.  I cant remember the front sight but there was no provision for a rear barrel sight, no bases or holes for such and no tang sight.  Original Ballard stocks and receiver were in good but well handled condition, with the receiver being mostly mottled/silverish.

I inquired about purchasing it and he said he would hang on to it for the time.  Well, I have kept in touch over the years and I believe he is ready to sell.  He wants me to make him an offer and I will but would like some opinion on what others think this rifle is worth.

I'm a huge Schoyen fan and have imitated his work to the best of my ability but have never owned one of his barrels/rifles.  This rifle would BE my single shot collection, it's that special in my mind.

Thanks for any thoughts.

The thing that bothers me most is that your description suggests that you've not seen the rifle recently, perhaps not for 12 years.  Since memory seems to fasten on the good things, I'd strongly recommend that you first reexamine the gun very carefully.  In particular, if you can, see what Schoyen may have done inside the Ballard (it's hard for me to believe that he only rebarreled it, unless, of course, that's all the then-owner could afford).  And it's not so much what happened to the rear sight as what will you replace it with?  Then once you have a refreshed picture of what's on offer, google what similar Ballards have sold for in the last year or so. paying particular attention to RIA, Amoskeag, Julia, and Cowan auction results, and paying for the information when you have to   Good luck!

Bill Lawrence