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Judge 1879
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Ballard .32-40?
Sep 5th, 2024 at 8:04am
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I picked up the "UGLY DUCKLING" No.9 Union Hill Model Ballard with the fine "custom" carved stocks, and as soon as I got to taking it apart to fully clean and inspect it I discovered some things. First off the Barrel, Receiver and the furniture are all correct matching numbers, however the breech block halves are not, they do match each other though. Second, the Barrel is stamped .32-40 but the extractor is stamped .38-55, looks like I may have someone's project rifle. Everything fits well and seems to operate fine, even loaded a .32-40 cartridge I have and it fit perfect and the extractor kicked it out just Fine. opinions, is this merely a parts rifle? the breech block was quite dirty so that had to be remedied, it is all clean and lightly greased now.
« Last Edit: Sep 5th, 2024 at 10:23pm by Judge 1879 »  
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art_ruggiero
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #1 - Sep 5th, 2024 at 8:29am
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as long as it shoots well  who cares  they can't all be collectible  art
  
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kensmachine
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #2 - Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:03am
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it's comon to see them marked 38-55
  
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westerner
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #3 - Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:20am
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kensmachine wrote on Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:03am:
it's comon to see them marked 38-55


I have a 40-50 Ballard. The extractor is stamped 40-65.
  

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marlinguy
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #4 - Sep 5th, 2024 at 10:45am
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I wouldn't take the caliber marking on an extractor as proof of much. Since the two cartridges use the same extractor it would be easy for a worker in the factory to grab one he knew worked and not care about the marking.
Now the breech blocks, or barrel always matched serial numbers, so if either don't match the frame number they've been swapped. So it is a Ballard that's been messed with. But since the wood is customized the part that don't match aren't a big deal. Only very picky collectors care, and they'd never buy or pay much for one with the carved stocks. As long as you got it cheap the rest isn't a big deal.
  

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Judge 1879
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #5 - Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:07pm
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I did get it at a good price, 800.00 at least I think it was a good price, and ill be honest the more I look at it the more I like it. besides .32/40 is available so this one I can shoot without having to reload. that is next on my agenda, buy a good press, I have procured the cartridge Bible" Cartridges of the World". yes I am New to this so please bear with me. I have a decent Start on my collection.
  
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Judge 1879
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #6 - Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:09pm
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westerner wrote on Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:20am:
kensmachine wrote on Sep 5th, 2024 at 9:03am:
it's comon to see them marked 38-55


I have a 40-50 Ballard. The extractor is stamped 40-65.

I have a No. 5 Pacific with the extractor stamped 44/75 I should cast the chamber to make sure. I suppose I should do that to all my old rifles, never know what has been done over the past 140 odd years.
  
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calledflyer
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #7 - Sep 6th, 2024 at 11:14am
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where is the ready-to-shoot .32-40 ammunition at? I'd like to get a few myself. I don't mind shooting fixed to get the brass- mine is getting tired after all these years. I still shoot much that is marked Western, not W-W, and even the last of my CIL cases are long in the tooth. Anybody else remember CIL?
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #8 - Sep 6th, 2024 at 1:21pm
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calledflyer wrote on Sep 6th, 2024 at 11:14am:
where is the ready-to-shoot .32-40 ammunition at? I'd like to get a few myself. I don't mind shooting fixed to get the brass- mine is getting tired after all these years. I still shoot much that is marked Western, not W-W, and even the last of my CIL cases are long in the tooth. Anybody else remember CIL?


Since the .32-40 was deemed "obsolete" some years ago the fixed ammo also stopped production. On rare occasion it can be found at gun shows as NOS, but prices are too high to make me want to buy any to get brass. 
And even brass is tough to find these days, unless you don't mind buying .38-55 brass and sizing it in your .32-40 dies.
So anyone thinking they can buy loaded ammo to shoot in .32-40 is in for a surprise!
  

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calledflyer
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #9 - Sep 6th, 2024 at 2:36pm
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I know all that, Vall, but I was hoping that some magical, or enterprising sort had begun the reintroduction of properly head stamped cases. I have a ton of the converted, but really like shooting 'the right stuff'. Just hoping against hope that there was some available loaded or empty. Can't hurt to ask.
  
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #10 - Sep 6th, 2024 at 4:40pm
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You need to get the rifle company's, to reintroduce a lever 32/40, like Winchester did in the 80's with the "John Wayne" version of the 94.

That's when I got all of my nickel plated  "Duke" 32/40 stock, of which I still have a lot of.
  

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calledflyer
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #11 - Sep 6th, 2024 at 5:36pm
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I have two boxes of the plated ones, too, Frank. One is not shot, the other never gets used- no reason. I have heard there are two different headstamps on these. One saying Duke, the other a normal stamp. Don't want to dig 'em out to see if that's true of mine.
  
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Judge 1879
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #12 - Sep 6th, 2024 at 8:12pm
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i bought 40 rounds from obsolete ammunition, it was a bit pricy at  58.00 a box of 20. there is also a place in vegas that offers it,  ventura munitions, they have a pretty good selection of older Ammunition. 32/20 winchester, 45/70 etc.
« Last Edit: Sep 6th, 2024 at 10:14pm by Judge 1879 »  
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marlinguy
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #13 - Sep 7th, 2024 at 10:46am
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So are those cartridges head stamped .32-40, or are they reformed from some other brass?

I have more than enough real .32-40 brass, but I also grab any cheap .32 Win. Spl. brass to stash away as it's the easiest to reform into .32-40 cases.
  

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Judge 1879
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #14 - Sep 7th, 2024 at 12:33pm
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they are stamped .32/40 win, I also just ordered 40 more rounds of .32/40 from ventura, the cost of the brass compared to Rocky mountain is about 1/2, seems like a good plan to but and reload this brass for the price. also picked up a box of 32/20 from ventura.
  
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calledflyer
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #15 - Sep 7th, 2024 at 2:24pm
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thank you.
  
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Judge 1879
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Re: Ballard .32-40?
Reply #16 - Sep 12th, 2024 at 7:35am
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I just received these today looks like good quality rounds new brass not modified.
  
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