I have for sale a  #6 J M Marlin Ballard Schuetzen rifle that was restocked by Charles Overbaugh. If you study the rifles attributed to Overbaugh it is clear that this is his work. His butt plate, cheekpiece shape and location all point to it and people familiar with his work have all agreed this is almost certainly Overbaugh work. I owned a similar Overbaugh Ballard about 20 years ago and Joe D bought another at auction a few years ago which I identified for him at the time. John Dutcher spoke of a few scarce rebated non engraved #6 Ballard's around serial # 6300 and this is one of those. The barrel is 28" full oct measuring 1.015 at the muzzle and 1.125 at the receiver. I assume that it was shortened from 30" or 32" but have no idea why. Aesthetics, weight, wear  or damage?  It is chambered in the 38-50 Ballard Everlasting. I did not do a chamber cast but a 38 cal Ballard of this time frame would have been a 38-50 and a 38-50 shell fits perfect. The bore measures .382 groove dia.  If the bore isn't perfect it's damn close to it. I see no flaws with my old eyes with no bore scope. I would call it a 9.9 out of 10. The forearm appears to be a plain Ballard with no numbers showing. It is attached to the barrel with 2 screws with the rear being under the palm rest base. There are 2 extra open holes in the forearm. The barrel number, receiver and breechblock #'s all match. Windgauge front sight without spirit level is stiff but functions as intended. The vernier tang sight has a BSA variable aperature sight disc installed. The buttstock has a small fingernail sized gouge / ding on the right side and a little bruising on the checkering on the right side and fits well. The brass butt plate retains virtually all of the original nickle plating. Palm rest is a modified original Stevens. The receiver is not nickle plated but the color casehardening has turned kind of silvery. As I measure the scope blocks  are 8.3" C-C and I do see a cut off or broken off screw peeking out from under the front edge of the front block. This is a fantastic turn of the century Schuetzen rifle that hasn't been fooled with. I feel my price is very fair. The only way  I will ship this is USPS Registered Mail. Fully insured with an adult siignature required. I will of course remove the butt stock and palm rest for shipping. Payment by Bank Money Order / Cashiers check or USPS money orders. First "I'll take it followed by PM , Price is $3,200 firm and $75 for shipping. I'll pay the rest

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Sweet looking Ballard.
Flatlander

I'll take it...pm to follow
Jeff

Just realized I PMd 85slc...oops!

jeffer1942 wrote yesterday at 12:19pm:


Great buy & happy shooting!!