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northwoodneil
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Marlin Ballard question
Nov 21st, 2021 at 2:41pm
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I found a ballard of unknown caliber with an original tang sight and beech front sight. The wood is sound and the bore looks very good. The bore is smaller than a 45 slug and bigger than a 38. It has a 3 line roll mark but with a 17000+ serial number it could be forged if I remember correctly. What's the largest caliber Marlin offered in a cast frame? Also what would be a fair price for this rifle,  with the sight upgrades?
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #1 - Nov 21st, 2021 at 3:42pm
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Likely it's not a forged action with a 3 line address, but only inspection of the receiver will tell you for sure. The cast #2 Hunter was offered in both .44 Long RF/CF, and also .44-40 caliber. So it could easily be one of the two.
What it's worth is almost impossible to say with so little information. Which original tang sight it is? Graduated Peep, or vernier tang sight? Graduated peeps have no elevation screw, and you simply loosen the aperture and slide it up or down. Verniers have a lead screw to raise and lower them. The two sights are probably $150-$200 difference in price. The combination front sight is a $100-$150 depending on condition, and how tight it still is.
The #2 complete action in good shape is a $500 item, and  good solid wood, with buttplate for a #2 will get probably $200. So add it all up, and if the rifling is good add another $50-$75. 
A very nice #2 will often get $1300-$1600, and one with no finish, and a decent bore will likely be under $1000. 
That's as close as I can get you without seeing good pictures.
  
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northwoodneil
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #2 - Nov 21st, 2021 at 4:17pm
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It is a graduated peep and the beech sight is in great shape,  tighter than the new MVA I have on my 1894. The hood is still perfectly round but the secondary post is filed pretty short. The finish on the barrel is brown but not pitted, no sign of any case colors on the frame. Thanks for the help it's starting to look like it's worth more in parts than he's asking for it.
  
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northwoodneil
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #3 - Nov 21st, 2021 at 4:26pm
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I did see the rear of the firing pin is round that means it's not reversible correct? Does it also mean center fire?
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #4 - Nov 21st, 2021 at 8:26pm
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northwoodneil wrote on Nov 21st, 2021 at 4:26pm:
I did see the rear of the firing pin is round that means it's not reversible correct? Does it also mean center fire?


Yes, that would indicate it's a CF breech block. And quite likely it's one of the .44-40 versions. If the address is a Marlin Firearms Co. marked, then it should have the caliber marked on the top flat above the chamber? At least many do.
  
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northwoodneil
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #5 - Nov 22nd, 2021 at 7:51am
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J.M. Marlin and nothing that I can see for caliber stamp.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #6 - Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:22am
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northwoodneil wrote on Nov 22nd, 2021 at 7:51am:
J.M. Marlin and nothing that I can see for caliber stamp.


That's correct. I've never seen an original JM Marlin marked Ballard with a caliber stamped on the barrel.
Sounds like you'll need to do a chamber cast if you get this rifle, so you're sure what caliber it is.
If it's either .44-40 or .44 Long, you'll need to either shoot BP loads, or very mild smokeless. Marlin dropped both cartridges from their offering for the #2 as they were deemed a bit much for the #2 cast action, even before smokeless came around.
  
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bohemianway
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #7 - Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:41am
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marlinguy,

You say "Marlin dropped both cartridges from their offering for the #2 as they were deemed a bit much for the #2 cast action, even before smokeless came around". Do you have facts to back that up? Or is this just perpetuating the myth? 

Curiously,
Charles
  
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #8 - Nov 22nd, 2021 at 1:13pm
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Here's a JM Marlin Ballard marked for caliber.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #9 - Nov 23rd, 2021 at 12:17pm
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bohemianway wrote on Nov 22nd, 2021 at 10:41am:
marlinguy,

You say "Marlin dropped both cartridges from their offering for the #2 as they were deemed a bit much for the #2 cast action, even before smokeless came around". Do you have facts to back that up? Or is this just perpetuating the myth? 

Curiously,
Charles


This is not a myth. Marlin Ballard rifles marked "JM Marlin" which are 1881 or older are found in .44 Long and .44-40 on the #2 cast action. But we don't see any of those two cartridges chambered in later actions marked "Marlin Firearms Co." So the two cartridges were dropped well before Marlin stopped making Ballard rifles.
I would guess the .44 Long was simply dropped due to lack of orders for that caliber. But the .44-40 was extremely popular during and after Ballard ceased being made. So it was dropped because it was too much for the cast action.
There were a small number of .32-20 Ballard #2 made also. But those too were dropped and are extremely hard to find. And even .22 WCF was offered in the little #3 Gallery, but I've only seen one original ever in my time collecting them.
  
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northwoodneil
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Re: Marlin Ballard question
Reply #10 - Nov 23rd, 2021 at 4:19pm
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I passed on the rifle but I know where it is if anyone needs a $1600, 4 digit serial #, fancy sighted Ballard. The shop keep didn't have any 44-40 shells but he did have 38-40 and they dropped right in. He also had a #4 rolling block that followed me home  Wink
  
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