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Dcred
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Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Sep 23rd, 2025 at 1:54pm
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Hello all; Just trying to get more information on a Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company rifle. Made in Cody Wyoming, its a high wall in 45/70. its walnut stock is purdy, but far from  "high or Fancy grade" more like a working man's rifle. rear sight is about 5" tall, with a Hadley cup. front has a level and changeable inserts.They kinda looks like a picture of ones that was made in Ukraine? Rifle is in very good condition. Were these rifles considered good quality? when was it made and cost then? What would this rifle be worth today? Would putting a vintage scope on it reduce its value? My 66 year old eyes just can't focus like before. I've considered selling it to get the Sharps i have always wanted, with scope. I have taken it to a couple gun shows here in Indiana, but nobody seems to know it's history or value. I'll try to post pictures,but not very computer savy...lol Thanks in advance!
« Last Edit: Sep 23rd, 2025 at 2:32pm by Dcred »  
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rkba2nd
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #1 - Sep 23rd, 2025 at 3:06pm
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In my opinion they are as good or better than any built by Winchester. Just the name is missing.
  
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rkba2nd
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #2 - Sep 23rd, 2025 at 3:28pm
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When it gets to value, probably best to check on auction sights, Guns international, or Wyoming Armory in Cody Wyoming as they are still making them last I was aware. Your rifle has a single set trigger and what appears to be a long range Soule sight with many being available in the +or- $500 range. You have a fine rifle. The Ballard rifle company in Cody made Ballard rifles for close to a couple decades and then 1885 Highwall's for a relatively short time. While in Cody, the best available people were employed to build both.
  
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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 and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #3 - Sep 23rd, 2025 at 4:37pm
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You wont hurt it's value by having it D&T for target scope bases and adding a scope. Doubt anyone will even know it was done after it left the factory unless you tell them.
I'd darn sure rather have it than the Sharps. Simply because the Winchester 1885 action is a better action with a faster hammer fall.
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #4 - Sep 23rd, 2025 at 6:37pm
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It'd have a pretty good value.  I picked up a Wyoming Armory 1885 in 32-40 which I'm pretty sure uses the same action castings and basically built by the same people. It's more accurate than my CPA's and I think I paid $3500 for it.  No set trigger, but nice wood with fine checkering.

Chris.
  
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Babydriver
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #5 - Sep 25th, 2025 at 11:12am
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Different folks, different strokes.
Taping for a scope ruins the rifle. Sure you can fill them in, put screws in but it will never be the same. 
Just my opinion.
  
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rkba2nd
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #6 - Sep 25th, 2025 at 1:38pm
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So, a fine No6 Ballard rifle fit with a Schoyen barrel, false muzzle and Peterson scope is ruined? Please send them to me, and I will gladly give you your ruined rifle price all day long. Just my opinion.  Best regards, Different f, Strokes
  
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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 and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #7 - Sep 25th, 2025 at 4:35pm
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rkba2nd wrote on Sep 25th, 2025 at 1:38pm:
So, a fine No6 Ballard rifle fit with a Schoyen barrel, false muzzle and Peterson scope is ruined? Please send them to me, and I will gladly give you your ruined rifle price all day long. Just my opinion.  Best regards, Different f, Strokes


I have some of those ruined rifles and they didn't come at discounted prices.
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watchthewind
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #8 - Sep 25th, 2025 at 7:34pm
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Drilling, tapping and installing blocks was a factory option. I see no problem with it.
  
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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 and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #9 - Sep 25th, 2025 at 8:32pm
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watchthewind wrote on Sep 25th, 2025 at 7:34pm:
Drilling, tapping and installing blocks was a factory option. I see no problem with it.


Exactly. How would anyone know if it was done when new, or today. 
Now if someone D&T the receiver it indeed would ruin the value.
  
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wcf3840
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #10 - Sep 26th, 2025 at 2:15pm
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Two Zischangs and a Pope in this bunch. I don't think I've lost any value.
  
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gunlaker
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #11 - Sep 26th, 2025 at 9:48pm
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That Ballard highwall is a recently made rifle.  I wouldn't worry for a second about drilling and tapping it.  If it was an original Winchester 1885 rifle in good collectable condition that wasn't already drilled and tapped that would be different.

Chris.
  
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Dcred
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Re: Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company Value
Reply #12 - Sep 30th, 2025 at 8:10am
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Thank you for all the responses, the information was appreciated!
  
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