After colecting the general older mil-surp of SA contract Mausers and US pre-W-2  for twenty-five years or so, I got into BPCR and mainly SS rifles abou 5-6 years ago.  I have been building my collection of Rolling Blocks, Martini-Henry's and whatever lights my fire. I recently received a pretty nice MFC Ballard in 38 long and have been researching the interesting Ballard line.  I am needing to find out the original tang sights that would be on this Ballard SN 1905X. Also any background info as to the history of this nice rifle.  The ?original? barrel sight is broken off at the rear of the dovetail. I am sure it has had a tang sight on at some time as there are several small indents where it would lay touching the top of the stock comb. I have spent two days researching for a possible tang sight to install but all seem to have a larger base CTC spacing.  I wonder if the small plug screws would even be used to mount a tang base plus the ladder.  Any ideas on what exactly the series Ballard I  have, Hunter, target, #2, 3, 4, ??  Also how do I post pics on this forum?  Thanks, New member from Way South NM.

All Marlin Ballard rifles use 1.125" (1 1/8) spacing for their tang sight. The rear barrel sights are unusual for the Marlin Ballard and the same as other Marlin pre 1890 repeaters. They were a buckhorn, but with small pointed "ears" at each lower side of the buckhorn. They used a "fish hook" or "harpoon" shaped elevator.
Front sights were standard on your gun as a German silver blade. Your Ballard in .38 Long is a #2 Hunter, so an optional tang sight would normally be the base model sliding Gallery tang sight. It looked much like the upper end Ballard vernier tang sight, but elevation was adjusted by loosening the eye cup and sliding it up or down. A true vernier could be also ordered, but not many were used on the #2 Hunter. An optional fixed globe front sight could also be purchased, as could a windage globe front. But again the more expensive windage globe would rarely be on a #2. The fixed globes are not as easy to find since not many were purchased. Most people either used the stock blade, or opted for the expensive windage globe.
These would be the upgraded top of the line windage globe and midrange vernier for a Marlin Ballard:

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And the simple Gallery or Sporting tang sight a #2 would usually come with:

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Another option was this flip up combination peep/post:

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And the same combination, but with windage:

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And a Longrange vernier:

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A super rare tall Midrange vernier. It falls between the normal Midrange and a Longrange:

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Can't find an image in my pictures of a fixed globe that is correct for a #2. I've got several with fixed globes, just no pictures.
The plug screws are not used to mount a base. They are simply there from the factory to plug the holes if a tang sight wasn't ordered. All Marlin Ballard rifles were tapped for tang screws whether a sight was ordered or not. The holes are 9-40, and correct screws can be purchased from MVA sights.

Don't know if they still do but at one time MVA made a sight that would be very appropriate in your rifle. I don't remember the model but it was made without the screw adjustment.

wsm,  i have started a company remanufacturing these old sights to original specs not somebodys idea of what they should be.i am now making about 30 of the ballard midrange vernier that vall has pictured.the bases are about 75% complete and need to make the staffs.i have the beeches flip up completed ,i have remington and sharps sights completed.contact me if i can help,originals are very hard to find,thats why i started doing this.        tony <><

The Beach sight as patented had a blade; the ivory bead was, if I remember correctly, a Lyman modification.

Bill Lawrence

If $250 is fair, I would take $200 plus shipping

Thanks Krag, I’ll let you know if WSMRTO isn’t interested. I’m sure he appreciates you yielding if he wants it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Charlie, I used to have an orange and a white epoxy for doing front sight inserts for pistols. Is you sight in good enoght shape to just add a drop of colored epoxy to replace the missing ivory? Just a thought