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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards (Read 8074 times)
LRF
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Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Dec 31st, 2016 at 12:19pm
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In Dutchers book on Ballard rifles, he mentions on page 144, 4 serial numbers of 4 1/2 Ballards (Early Mid Range versions). They are numbers 941, 942, 943 & 956. Does anyone on this forum own any of these rifles? If yes I would like to have a conversation with you concerning your rifle. I recently purchased a 4 1/2 with in the same serial number range, so it would be interesting and fun to compare. Send me a PM and we can connect.
  
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ssrifles
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #1 - Jan 2nd, 2017 at 3:16pm
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i used to have a large collection of original long ranges from several manufacturers.when i couldn't find anymore i didn't have, i started finding matching midranges.the 4 1/2 ballard was almost impossible,couldn't find one of the quality i wanted.if you have an all original you have a rare gun.congratulations and enjoy it.
                  tony <><
  
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LRF
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #2 - Jan 2nd, 2017 at 4:55pm
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Thanks Tony, I would not say my rifle is all original but I like it and will be shooting it. It does have some very nice features and the price was within my range. What has recently appeared to be very nice 4 1/2's that have come up for sale also have had price tags that dwarf my budget.
I would really like to know what the caliber and chambering is for gun #941.
  
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bnice
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #3 - Jan 2nd, 2017 at 9:17pm
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You may want to try John Dutcher and see if he has the notes on that gun since it was in his book.
  
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LRF
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #4 - Jan 2nd, 2017 at 10:26pm
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Of course that would be a good idea and would like to talk to him, however i have heard it is difficult to get in touch with him. I understand he does not use email and does not often answer the phone or return calls. Anyway that is what I have heard.
  
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ssrifles
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #5 - Jan 3rd, 2017 at 9:54am
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john is a very nice man ,have known him for over 20 years.he loves to talk ballards and his memory of guns he has handled or heard about is unreal.his health is not good.he used to do all the major shows around the country,now he only does the denver collectors show and sometimes tulsa.
           tony <><
  
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LRF
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #6 - Jan 3rd, 2017 at 10:14am
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"does not often answer the phone or return calls."

Should have completed this statement to a better degree. He is quite hard of hearing and difficult to hear the phone ring or be able to talk on it. I did not want to be disrespectful if that is how I was taken. You all ready know he is devoted to Ballards because he wrote just about the best book yet on the subject.Thanks John Dutcher!
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #7 - Jan 3rd, 2017 at 10:47am
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ssrifles wrote on Jan 3rd, 2017 at 9:54am:
john is a very nice man ,have known him for over 20 years.he loves to talk ballards and his memory of guns he has handled or heard about is unreal.his health is not good.he used to do all the major shows around the country,now he only does the denver collectors show and sometimes tulsa.
           tony <><


I've often spoken with John in Denver, and he loves talking guns; especially Ballards! I never leave Denver without showing John a Ballard (or other singleshot!) that I purchased there. I often take one along just specifically to get John's input on it, as he's generous and more than willing to give time and knowledge on the subject! He's forgotten more than most of us know about Ballards! I spent a lot of time in May talking with him, and I truly wish I could just spend the whole 4 days there with him, learning!
But I don't bother trying to call him on the phone, as it's just not easy for him to hear on the phone, and he doesn't usually return messages left. I'm OK with that, as I understand the situation.
  

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Bill Lawrence
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #8 - Jan 3rd, 2017 at 4:20pm
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Being deaf myself, I can well understand Mr. Dutcher's abhorrence of phones.  However, if he will answer "snail-mail" letters, can someone supply his address?  Thanks.

Bill Lawrence
  
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rustyrelx
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #9 - Feb 21st, 2017 at 12:40pm
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Seems like not too many people have a 4 1/2 Ballard. Not a whole lot of replies here.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #10 - Feb 21st, 2017 at 3:05pm
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Yes Don, I rarely see a #4 1/2 for sale, and I'm still hoping to find one someday! But I may be getting closer! Have a Ballard coming soon that may indeed be a #4 1/2 if it all adds up once I have it in hand!
  

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rustyrelx
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #11 - Feb 22nd, 2017 at 3:40pm
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very cool Vall I hope it is a 4 1/2.
  
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LRF
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #12 - Apr 30th, 2017 at 8:03pm
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Thought I would bring this subject back up. I have since had an opportunity to shoot my 4 1/2 at a friends range. It was just 100 yards but worked well and was fun to burn black powder again. I was shooting a bullet out of a Lee mold that Val had suggested. I removed the minie ball cone and the bullet weighed about 320 grains. But not what these guns were actually designed to shoot so thought I needed a paper patch bullet. So today I bored a mold and have pictured it here. I'll cast some tomorrow and let you know what it weighs. I am guessing 400 grains and it is 1.175" long. Gun is a 20" twist and should stabilize up to 1.250" long. We will see... Smiley
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #13 - May 1st, 2017 at 12:49pm
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I'll try to make myself a note to ask John what he might remember about #941 when I see him in Denver in a couple weeks Lynn. I have a couple Ballards I'm taking along to get his observations on also. One is a #7 Longrange, which doesn't have a heel base, and John mentioned "all #7 came with a heel base" so want to see what he thinks on mine, or if he's changed his mind on that statement.
  

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LRF
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Re: Looking for info on 4 1/2 Ballards
Reply #14 - May 1st, 2017 at 2:45pm
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Thanks Vall any info is appreciated. I sent you a PM
FYI
My new mold produces a bullet .433" diameter, 1.170" long, weighing in at 427 grains in 20 to 1. With paper thickness total of .009" the total bullet is .442" which is bore diameter for my rifle.
  
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