Blackhawk wrote on Jan 30
th, 2019 at 11:59am:
Aside from the butt plate and breechblock, I do not believe the rifle was a build-up. The SN’s stamped on the barrel, frame, forearm, and stock are all matching. The frame is cast iron with a two line JM Marlin address on the left side. The caliber (32 Long) is stamped on the top flat of the half octagon barrel, just in front of the frame. The rifle has many special features that could be ordered from Marlin when purchasing a No. 2 (e.g. 24” half octagon-half round barrel, checkered forearm with carved horn tip, checkered pistol grip stock of select walnut, engraved side panels of frame with running deer and running buffalo as shown on pages 224 and 228 of Dutcher’s book, the engraved frame and finger loop lever were nickel plated, rear tang sight is a Lyman No. 1 and the rear sight slot on barrel is filled, the trigger is checked within a border, as is the reverse-curve hammer). The rifle’s finish is uniformly aged and worn. I have known the rifle to be in this same condition for the past 59 years. With the rifle having so many of the Marlin special order features, would it not seem plausible that the Swiss style butt plate was yet another feature ordered with the rifle? Based on the SN of the rifle, I suspect it was built around 1883 -1885. Would this be correct?
I agree that a No. 2 should have a breechblock with the rimfire and centerfire conversion; however, my rifle does not. The breechblock locks up tight and solid with the closing of the finger loop lever. I suspect the rifle was sent back to the factory at some point in time to correct or repair some issue with the original breechblock. Does this sound plausible?
You did note it has a different serial number on the breech blocks, so that confirms the block doesn't match, and makes it a built up gun. The non Marlin buttplate also makes it a built up gun. It may well have had the stock broken, but Marlin never offered that buttplate on any Ballard, #2 or other models included.
Have you checked the firing pin location to be sure it's .32 Long rimfire? It's more likely if it isn't a dual firing pin, and the breech blocks don't match that it's a centerfire only, as they made no rimfire only breech blocks, except in .22 rimfire.
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Ballard No. 2 (Read 6073 times)
