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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Ballard Rifle Co, Cody (Read 11988 times)
Joe Do...
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Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Dec 20th, 2021 at 11:11am
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Does anyone know what the total production of Ballard rifles was while the company was in Cody? It seems that we are seeing a few rifles for sale recently but the great majority are probably still held by their original buyers.

The Billings Gazette, December 31, 2004 ...
  
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ISS
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #1 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 12:07pm
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I would suggest you call and talk to George Dillman.
  
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4570mike
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #2 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 1:27pm
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I have a few Cody Rifles and wondered about that, too.

Steve Garbe is still around somewhere; maybe he'd offer some insight.

Anyone here know Steve well enough to approach him?
  
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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #3 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 1:51pm
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Only have one here, as I've always been into the old Marlin Ballard rifles. But my Cody Schoyen model is as good or better than anything Marlin ever built. The workmanship, and talent at Ballard Rifle Co. was some of the greatest talent in the US back then!
  

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waterman
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #4 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 3:04pm
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I'm mostly out to lunch.  What is the present status of the firm?
  
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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #5 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 4:17pm
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waterman wrote on Dec 20th, 2021 at 3:04pm:
I'm mostly out to lunch.  What is the present status of the firm?


Nonexistent. When it sold in 2008 it was moved to Michigan. Lasted about a year there, and nobody has heard from them again. Sad.
  

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Premod70
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #6 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 5:06pm
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Try Wyoming Armory, the artist gunmakers are still there for the most part or so I have been told. Here’s the last link, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
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JLouis
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #7 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 5:17pm
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Some have actually since passed on such as Neil Rice I believe it was. One of those who worked there at the time still posts on this site.
  

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rkba2nd
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #8 - Dec 20th, 2021 at 6:08pm
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Actually very few of the original Ballard crew are still there. Ron Long, who was the lead man, and who is not well, Neal Rice, who has passed on, Earl Hines, who does checkering for Wyoming Armory but works elsewhere, and Keith Kilby, who does case coloring and metal finishing for them, not sure of Dave Casey and some of the others. They are still putting out fine work I understand, but sadly not building Ballards.
  

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4570mike
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #9 - Dec 21st, 2021 at 7:16pm
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I’ve heard a “rumor” more than once that the major metal parts were produced in Detroit.  Maybe that was part of the reason the Company moved to Michigan after Wyoming?
I’m with Marlinguy; the quality and workmanship on any of the rifles they produced was exceptional.  I have five; four Ballards and a High Wall.  All were acquired “used” and some were pricey, but I never regret buying any of them.  I’m not a collector, but a shooter and to me they are more desirable than “originals”.   
Interestingly, I was informed by a person associated with the Cody operation that they acquired the “Ballard” name, so some may consider their rifles to be “continuations”.  Huh 
Regardless, it’s too bad they are not around any more supplying our sport with Ballards and High Walls (and maybe some rollers???).
  
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JLouis
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #10 - Dec 21st, 2021 at 7:31pm
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Unfortunately when they and who bought them out they moved and also changed their direction. Steve Durren and probably one of the best gunsmiths I know of went to work for them at that time. And the new owners basically destroyed everything that they had bought. And Steve Durren returned to what I believe it is Johnson's sporting Goods and back to where he used to work.
  

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rkba2nd
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #11 - Dec 21st, 2021 at 8:00pm
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   That any of the parts, other than Barrels, some screws etc,  for the Cody Ballards were made anywhere other than in-house, is strictly rumor. After the business was sold and moved to Michigan, it is not only possible, but actually quite probable that parts were made there.                         
    To my knowledge it is true that they were able to acquire the Ballard name, but not sure if it went with the sale of the business. I would have to assume so.                                                                
    It is truly sad that Ballards are not still made as they were in Cody, to the highest standard set then, by an assembly of incredible talent, to a man.
  

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marlinguy
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Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #12 - Dec 21st, 2021 at 8:42pm
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I'm not positive, but fairly certain the Ballard name was up for grabs when it was chosen by the group who made them in Cody. It also went with the sale when it went to Michigan, so not sure what it would take to ever use that name again these days?
Whether the Cody Ballards are an extension of the earlier Ballards seems quite logical in their history. Considering all the various companies that built Ballard rifles, but didn't own the patent, one more in the line seems a very natural progression to me.
I still hold some thread of hope they could be made again, but the thread is very near to breaking, and I'm not holding out waiting. Those who own a Cody Ballard know those guns are as highly prized as an original, and can often bring bigger money than the originals do! That alone speaks volumes for the quality of the Cody built Ballard rifles!

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Statesrights
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #13 - Dec 21st, 2021 at 9:14pm
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Still have two that were made to my specs. Beautiful critters!
  
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Re: Ballard Rifle Co, Cody
Reply #14 - Dec 21st, 2021 at 9:36pm
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   "That any of the parts, other than Barrels, some screws etc,  for the Cody Ballards were made anywhere other than in-house, is strictly rumor."

rkba2nd is pretty close. In addition buttplate castings were outsourced. Hi wall hammer castings, Hi wall breechblock castings and Ballard DST trigger plate castings were sourced as were front sight inserts and Ballard thru bolts. Some levers were also contracted either as machined or cast. All castings of any kind were machined in house. All parts not listed above were machined from flat or bar in house. Ron made most of the molds, I made a couple after he left.
  

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