Looking at this rifle, but I'm by no means a Ballard expert.  So....a couple questions for the guys that are.  Is this a dual ignition model that has been converted to centerfire?  If so....can it be converted back?  Any input greatly appreciated!  I've tried doing some research....but I've found what appears to be that configuration described as the dual ignition, and in other places not.   

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Thanks!  Chris.

It can, but needs a fair amount of work to the breechblock as it's been milled out on the face for the firing pin setup. Also needs a percussion nipple drilled and tapped into it. The hammer appears bobbed, and might need more length to strike a RF case. 
Can't imagine wanting to go back to a rimfire/percussion as it was, when no RF ammo is available. You'll need at least a few cases to puncture the base and use to shoot this as a percussion. Then you'll need some correct sized heeled .375" bullets regardless of whether it's fired as is, or returned to percussion/RF.
I'd use it as is, and simply get molds to cast the heeled .375" bullets so I could cast for it. You can use .38 Special cases to reload for this. I shoot one in a Marlin Ballard that's RF/CF and it's a fun caliber to shoot.

Just so you're aware it can't be fired without a brass case, even in percussion. I did play with using round balls before I got a mold. I simply charged my .38 long cases and coated round .375" balls with liquid alox and set them on the case mouth. Let them dry overnight, and shot them later. Accuracy was OK, but not target OK. Correct bullets shoot extremely well in my .38 Long and .32 Long as cased ammo!

trails4u wrote on Nov 29^th, 2017 at 4:12pm:


Bargains on GB?  Hell, on GB a half-way fair price would startle me. (Which is why I never look at it any more.)  Hope you get lucky, however.   

Redsetter wrote on Nov 29^th, 2017 at 5:13pm:


I hear ya!  But I do still lurk around there sometimes.  I have scored some good deals on obscure brass and a few other things....and bought a very nice Peabody for a fair price last year.  It's rare.....but does happen.

Thanks for the input guys....  I ended up letting it go, at just over $600 it was more than I wanted to part with.  I have other 'wish list' guns that are more a priority for me right now (anyone have a Werndl they don't need??) but I do think the winner got an OK deal.  Not a bad looking rifle....IMO.