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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Marlin Ballard 32-40 info (Read 6396 times)
marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #15 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 10:55am
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scharfe wrote on Mar 10th, 2021 at 10:42am:
I have only seen 1 #2 with #'s matching double set triggers. Did they make #2's w/out reversible firing pins ?


Yes, they made numerous #2's with centerfire only firing pins. I have three in my collection, all with set triggers. Mine are in .38 Long CF, and .32 Long CF. Never seen a set trigger #2 that had a reversible dual firing pin system. But there's always a chance one exists I guess.

I also had a #2 in .44-40 all original, and it was a single trigger, reversible firing pin. Not sure there ever was a RF version of the .44-40, so guess they just used the same breech block.
  
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scharfe
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #16 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 11:00am
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Thanks. I like learning things like that !
  
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MrTipUp
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #17 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 11:29am
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Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, my computer can't retrieve Imgur images.  Still, even though it's a major and possibly not the safest rebuild with a modern shooting kit, I hope you enjoy it.  Just take care not to overload the action.

Bill Lawrence
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #18 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 1:56pm
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Here you go Bill:

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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #19 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 3:16pm
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.22 gallery action?  Just sold an action just like it. I think #3 because it lacks the top screw through the breechblock.
  
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #20 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 5:27pm
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That used to be my rifle.. Had the pleasure to shoot with the San Diego bunch... In fact if it wasn't for Mr. Feldman et al, I would not have been able to shoot this rifle at all... I had  the opportunity to shoot alongside Mr. Darr... He couldn't... or wouldn't tell me if it was one of his barrels... but she does have a seven groove lands... If my memory is  correct, which ain't often.. A Mr. Goodman re-barreled this action back in the 90"s...She'll shoot... I wish I could have used it more often...
  
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MrTipUp
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #21 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 5:49pm
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Vall, wouldn't your .44-40 Ballard with the reversible firing pin also chamber the .44 RF, sometimes called the .44 Henry?

Bill Lawrence
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #22 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 5:54pm
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MrTipUp wrote on Mar 10th, 2021 at 5:49pm:
Vall, wouldn't your .44-40 Ballard with the reversible firing pin also chamber the .44 RF, sometimes called the .44 Henry?

Bill Lawrence


The .44-40 is a bottleneck case Bill, and the .44RF Henry is a straight wall case. The .44-40 used a .427" bullet, where the Henry I believe used a heeled bullet that was much larger diameter; around .446" I believe?
The Ballard #2 in .44 Long RF/CF with reversible firing pin would likely chamber the Henry RF .44 cartridge, but not a #2 in .44-40.
  
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MrTipUp
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #23 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 6:11pm
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So, do you assume that the reversible firing pin in your .44-40 is a factory goof?  Or could the barrel have been switched at some point, perhaps simply because .44-40 shells had become more available or practical?  (I ask because I seem to remember - hah! - that Ballard barrels are not always serial numbered.)

Also, thanks for bringing over the Imgur photos.  That IS a very nice outfit, and the new owner should indeed really enjoy it!

Bill Lawrence
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard 32-40 info
Reply #24 - Mar 10th, 2021 at 8:29pm
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MrTipUp wrote on Mar 10th, 2021 at 6:11pm:
So, do you assume that the reversible firing pin in your .44-40 is a factory goof?  Or could the barrel have been switched at some point, perhaps simply because .44-40 shells had become more available or practical?  (I ask because I seem to remember - hah! - that Ballard barrels are not always serial numbered.)

Also, thanks for bringing over the Imgur photos.  That IS a very nice outfit, and the new owner should indeed really enjoy it!

Bill Lawrence


I always assumed it was because it was a cast action, they simply installed a #2 type breech block in single trigger. I'd not been surprised if it was a DST breech block and been CF only. But I assumed it would have been a CF breech block in .44-40 caliber. It was a very nice, all numbers matching Ballard, so not a rebarrel. I've never seen a Ballard barrel not serial numbered to the gun from the factory. No other markings on early barrels, but post 1881 they got the caliber marking also. 
The #2 was only offered in .44-40 in early Ballard rifles, as Marlin soon decided it was too much for that action, even in black powder. They continued to offer it in .44 Long RF/CF. But those would not be rechambered to .44-40 either as the .44 Long is a much larger bullet, so shooting it with .44-40 .427" bullets would rattle down the bore.
  
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