Ballard Mid Range rifle

[marlinman93]

Another annual Oregon Arms Collectors show was this weekend. I saw numerous guns I loved, but only one I wish I could take home. It belonged to a good friend, and after a weekend of wheeling and dealing we finally came to a trade agreement with less than 10 minutes left in the show today!! Even ended up with some cash back for the guns I traded to him. Yes, it took multiples to get the 4 1/2.
It's a Nimschke engraved #4 1/2 A-1 in .44-75 Ballard caliber. A new caliber for me to go with the new gun. Hopefully some bullets I have for others will fit the bore! Barrel is a 30" half octagon, and bore looks pristine! If it shoots as good as it looks I'll be very happy! Well actually I'm already pretty darn happy!

[JWT]

Very nice

[Reverend Al]

Another gorgeous Ballard! (I have some serious Ballard envy right now ...)

[marlinman93]

Thanks guys! I was excited my friend was willing to do a trade. I couldn't afford the cash to buy a 4 1/2 A-1!

[marlinman93]

After slugging the bore, it appears it is not a .44 caliber for sure! It slugged at .411" and I decided to try one of my sized and loaded rounds from my .40-63/70 Rigby Ballard in the chamber. It dropped right in, so might be that caliber.
Will need to do a chamber cast to ensure it is the .40-63/70, but if it is I've already got everything needed to load and shoot it! Even ammo loaded with the correct size bullet since my Rigby is the same bore size!

[marlinman93]

Saran Wrap around the barrel, and taped off to protect it. Mixed up some Acraglass gel and added some brown flocking to color it to match the horn tip. Once it sets up for 24 hrs. I'll remove the tape and Saran Wrap and shape it down to match the horn tip.

[GARD72977]

I love the stock design. Beautiful rifle

[marlinman93]

I love the stock design. Beautiful rifle

Thanks! I also love the stock shape on Ballard deluxe pistol grips. And the shotgun buttplate is a feature I love, but only have two of. They were only on certain models, unless special ordered.

[marlinman93]

Removed the forearm today. The Saran Wrap did it's job and it easily came off.



The blue tape is even with the edges of the break, so once it finishes curing I'll carefully cut through the epoxy at the parting line and the excess will come off the tape and not be on the wood. Then I'll shape it down and cut the accent lines again, and give it a light coat of Wipe On Poly to seal it.

[Bigslug]

*Homer Simpson voice engaged*

MMMMMMMMMM. . .inletting. . .AAAAHHHHHHHHH. . .

[marlinman93]

Just about finished. Needs a few coats of WOP to bring up the sheen, and then should be OK. Not a perfect match, but better than missing horn!

[Hamish]

Lovely rifle!

[Texas by God]

Beautiful repair on the horn tip. Waiting for a range report. Elegant rifle indeed.

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[Doug Humbarger]

Beautiful rifle. As they say, if it could only tell us where it's been!

[marlinman93]

Wouldn't it be great if past owners kept history and passed it along? I've got a few that are well documented, or were in the same family their whole life. I love it when I know the gun's history, but that's rare to have. Wish they all could tell us their history!