Ramping up for a new caliber

[marlinman93]

Thanks Al! The two restored Ballards will get shot a lot! The Pope set a little, but carefully!

[Bigslug]

Well. . .seeing as how some clown named Pope destroyed any collectibility along with that poor Ballard's originality, I'm afraid I can only offer you $200, and that much only because you're such an upstanding member of our community.

I'm just gonna sit here and drool for a few minutes. . .

[marlinman93]

Well. . .seeing as how some clown named Pope destroyed any collectibility along with that poor Ballard's originality, I'm afraid I can only offer you $200, and that much only because you're such an upstanding member of our community.

I'm just gonna sit here and drool for a few minutes. . .

Many years ago I had a debate with a guy about how original Ballard rifles were more valuable than modified. I asked if this meant even rifles customized by the famous makers like Pope, Schoyen, Schalk, Zischang, etc., and he said even those makers weren't as valuable. I felt his reasoning was foolish, but left it at that.
I've always loved the guns by custom makers of note, and even some of those who are more recent, and do very similar work! I love these custom schuetzen rifles the most, even over nice originals in my collection.
But I'll contemplate your generous offer for this messed up Ballard, and let you know!

[Bigslug]

Many years ago I had a debate with a guy about how original Ballard rifles were more valuable than modified. I asked if this meant even rifles customized by the famous makers like Pope, Schoyen, Schalk, Zischang, etc., and he said even those makers weren't as valuable. I felt his reasoning was foolish, but left it at that.

The older things get, the more we feel the history behind them, and wish they made it through time unscathed, but the way I'm coming to look at Ballards is that they were the Remington 700 of their day. That's not an exact parallel because the Marlin Ballard was intended to be a pretty high end product out of the box, where the 700 was balancing practical value against Winchester-toppling production cost, but both actions are outstanding engines with which to drive toward better things. I wonder if that same guy you talked to would turn down a Unertl-topped U.S.M.C. M40 because it wasn't the original Wal Mart 700 ADL synthetic / Bushnell Sportview / Weaver rings package deal anymore.

[45workhorse]

You ought to be ashamed of yourself-----putting gun porn on a family sight. My son almost CAUGHT me-----drooling on the key board.

Thank you for posting, one day I may own one..

[marlinman93]

The older things get, the more we feel the history behind them, and wish they made it through time unscathed, but the way I'm coming to look at Ballards is that they were the Remington 700 of their day. .

Well I might buy the theory with a Winchester, since Winchester was the most sold gun of that period, and also a great gun for a reasonable price. Being cheaper than most other big makers made Winchesters so popular. An entry level Ballard cost more than a pretty high end Winchester. Specialty Marlin Ballards could go for $60-$100 and even more for some!

[marlinman93]

You ought to be ashamed of yourself-----putting gun porn on a family sight. My son almost CAUGHT me-----drooling on the key board.

Thank you for posting, one day I may own one..

I started out buying Marlins and Ballards when they were pretty cheap! I think my first Ballard cost me $250, and was a pretty decent gun.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
What a beautiful set to be entrusted with ! I trust you will have many years of fine shooting enjoyment with this 3 barreled Ballard.
Thank you for these excellent photos !
Mike in Peru

[sharps4590]

Stunning, simply stunning. Well done sir! Excellent work on forming the case also.

[marlinman93]

Thanks guys!

[shafer44]

Man, those are really fine looking rifles. I am envious that I do not know gunsmithing the way a lot of you guys here on CB do. I can fix iphones, I can weld, have plasma cutter and lots of other toys and guns, but doing all this stuff to these guns to get them back out there and shooting is a really fantastic accomplishment!! In my next life, I want to be a gunsmith and machinist.. Great rifles!!

[marlinman93]

Man, those are really fine looking rifles. I am envious that I do not know gunsmithing the way a lot of you guys here on CB do. I can fix iphones, I can weld, have plasma cutter and lots of other toys and guns, but doing all this stuff to these guns to get them back out there and shooting is a really fantastic accomplishment!! In my next life, I want to be a gunsmith and machinist.. Great rifles!!

Thanks! I wish I was a trained machinist also! I can do almost all the work needed on my old guns, but I have a cheap Chinese lathe and mill, and even if I had the skills, they are too inaccurate to work with. I use them more for simple tasks, and even inlet forearm wood on them. I send my barrels and actions out to be fitted together. Then I remove them, and do all the polishing and stock work on my builds. Fortunately these latest projects need no work, so that's a great savings of time and money!
I did also pick up two Rolling Block Sporting Rifles in .44 Long CF 1871, and a later Sporter half octagon in .40-50 SS. The .44 Long needs a firing pin, and firing pin screw, but that's a pretty easy fix! Both have great bores, so will be shooting them too. Already set up for the .44 Long, but need dies and have to build cases from .30 Krag for the .40-50 SS.

.40-50 SS:


.44 Long CF:

[Bigslug]

AND a pair of clean Rolling Blocks. . .

BUDDHA doesn't have the amount of good karma you seem to be sporting!

I have trouble deciding my favorite single shot mechanism, but always marvel over the elegance of the R.B.'s solution to the problem. Love shooting them.

[marlinman93]

AND a pair of clean Rolling Blocks. . .

BUDDHA doesn't have the amount of good karma you seem to be sporting!

I have trouble deciding my favorite single shot mechanism, but always marvel over the elegance of the R.B.'s solution to the problem. Love shooting them.

Like the others, the Rolling Blocks were just too cheap to pass up. Plus I'm a sucker for Rolling Block Sporting Rifles, and considering they likely made less than 12,000 I just find them so historic, and pleasant to my eyes. The .44 Long 1871 needs a firing pin and retaining screw, but other than that they're in pretty nice shape for their age.

[marlinman93]

Marlinman93,

Is that spigot on the front of the action of your Pope-Ballard Harry Pope's patented quick-change barrel attachment? Never saw one in real life before, just the drawings.

He also fitted the breechblock with a rim-or-center firing pin housing that could be turned with a two-pin spanner and locked with a set screw.

U.S. 384,277, June 12, 1888.

Here's another Pope Ballard you might find interesting BR! It sold at the Nov. 2015 Amoskeag Auction and has the same Pope takedown system on it. I personally looked at this one before it went off to auction two years ago.

[GARD72977]

I have been looking at Schuetzen rifles far a while. The guns that Pope barrelled are very special. That is a impressive collection you have.

A Stevens is on my short list but it wont be the quality of that set. Thanks for posting for everyone to enjoy. Keep us posted on how they shoot.

[marlinman93]

I have been looking at Schuetzen rifles far a while. The guns that Pope barrelled are very special. That is a impressive collection you have.

A Stevens is on my short list but it wont be the quality of that set. Thanks for posting for everyone to enjoy. Keep us posted on how they shoot.

Thanks! It's a very hectic summer, so I hope to find time to get the loads worked up and shoot the Pope multi barrel set! Just got back from "The Happenz" long range fun shoot, but had other guns I needed to work out loads for to take there, so the Pope didn't get any work.
Was also asked to set up my Ballard schuetzen display there, so here's a couple pictures:

[OlDeuce]

I'll take one of Each !!! LoL Marlinman You have a Collection My Friend!!!

Ol Deuce

[marlinman93]

I'll take one of Each !!! LoL Marlinman You have a Collection My Friend!!!

Ol Deuce

Thanks Ol Deuce! It's been several decades of fun gathering them!

[pull the trigger]

Hi Marlinman!! I didn't realize you were on here too. I didn't think you would be shooting the Pope set, but I am glad to see you plan to. Im still looking for my first Ballard. No luck yet.