And one to chuckle about

[marlinman93]

I looked at this Schoyen Ballard for two days. Finally had to figure out why it was so cheap, and why nobody bought it? Worked out an even cheaper price, and bought it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4900.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4900.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4901.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4901.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4902.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4902.jpg.html)

Now the interesting part was that AFTER negotiating a very low price, the seller asks, "Do you want the case and accessories?" The gun was on his table alone, and no mention of the case, 20x scope, and other tools, etc.., until AFTER I had paid him for the gun! It all came free with the gun! The accessories were worth half what I paid for the gun!
The case covering made me chuckle, but the rest made me very happy!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4899.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4899.jpg.html)

[M-Tecs]

I never get lucky like that. Very nice. What's it chambered in?

[marlinman93]

It's .32-40 Ballard. (supposedly) Haven't slugged the bore, but bullets in the case measure .321", so should be correct.

[Hardcast416taylor]

So, tell us how many Super Lotto tickets did you buy on the way home? Truly a very good deal.Robert

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Well Johnny, just how cheap was it?

[merlin101]

"The gun was on his table alone, and no mention of the case, 20x scope, and other tools, etc.., until AFTER I had paid him for the gun!"

I thought for sure that he was going to hit you hard on the 'extra's". so how much? nosey people want to know!

[BCRider]

So, tell us how many Super Lotto tickets did you buy on the way home? Truly a very good deal.Robert

No point. Finding that rifle and kit used up all his luck for years to come.... :D

That's a seriously nice find with a happy addition. I'm not sure I want to know what the final price was or I'd have to go sit in the corner and have a good cry.... :D

[marlinman93]

Yeah, I sure didn't want to take a chance on any games of chance after that deal! I feel a bit guilty about the price, as I know what a Ballard or a Schoyen barreled Ballard goes for. I paid his price of $2k without knowing about the extras. When he asked if I wanted them, I had to ponder for a second what he was saying. I was afraid to ask "how much?" as I thought it might be extra. So I just said, "Sure, where are they?"
Once we got to his SUV and he handed them to me, with no request for more funds; the reality set in. Very weird, and unexpected. I doubt it would have been for sale long if he had all of this on his table!

[Mk42gunner]

Geez, I thought I got lucky last fall when nobody else was interested in bidding on the MAS 45 .22 trainer that I bought, but you sir take the cake.

Robert

[Yellowhouse]

If I can ever shake your hand I'm pretty sure I'll win the Powerball!

[montana_charlie]

I looked at this Schoyen Ballard for two days. Finally had to figure out why it was so cheap, and why nobody bought it? Worked out an even cheaper price, and bought it.
So, what did you finally figure out that kept others from buying it ... and what was so wrong about it that you got an even cheaper price?

[Frank46]

All I can say that is one beautiful rifle with all the goodies. That and I think you used up all your gun buying luck up for the rest of your life. Darn fine score. Frank

[sharps4590]

That kind of good fortune does not exist at my house...well done and congratulations sir!

[marlinman93]

So, what did you finally figure out that kept others from buying it ... and what was so wrong about it that you got an even cheaper price?

Well my gut told me not to buy it because of the hot bluing on barrel and receiver. Then when I finally decided to look closer, all I could find was some extra holes for target scope bases in the barrel. My guess is most people were like I was for two days. I didn't even ask to look at it previously, and walked by it probably 6-7 times. Just couldn't get past the hot bluing.
I think the issue was really "poor marketing". If the seller had put it in the case on his table, it would have sold quickly in the first few minutes. Nobody would have passed up this gun with everything revealed. Some folks just aren't good at selling things. I'm just happy that it turned out the way it did for me. I like good surprises, but not bad ones!

[JHeath]

Sometimes people just don't know what they have, how it was used etc. I have seen multiple threads about crescent buttplates, where commentors insist it was an aesthetic design meant to be fired (painfully!) from the shoulder. They insist that nobody mounted to the upper arm -- like it's a crazy idea to shoot that way. I wonder what those guys make of a schuetzen buttplate, and that cheap little reloading tool that seems to be missing its bench frame.

[JHeath]

BTW nice Hepburn w/set triggers.

[marlinman93]

BTW nice Hepburn w/set triggers.

Thanks! Funny how myths start about things on guns, especially from the unknowing.

[Bigslug]

And the ultimate accessory of a fur-covered case too! One wouldn't want one's Ballard to get cold. . .

[Tatume]

Some people are just satisfied to make a fair profit. I've bought several things and questioned the low price. The seller told me each time how much he had in the item, and that he was happy to make the profit he was making. It's a good way to do business.

[Jedman]

Your a lucky man, A deal like that I have only found once in my lifetime so far. Enjoy it !

Jedman

[marlinman93]

And the ultimate accessory of a fur-covered case too! One wouldn't want one's Ballard to get cold. . .

I like that! Pretty clever. A friend referred to it as the "Hereford Gun", and it seems to have stuck. At least that's what I call it now.

[waksupi]

That old cow hide case would actually bring a good premium. Hang on to it.

[marlinman93]

Yes, I sure wont dispose of the fitted case! I do plan to do a little work on the case to eliminate some of the longest hair that sticks out on the corners. The buffalo or cow hide covered old cases I've seen in years past were trimmed up pretty short. I think this one would be more presentable without it's winter coat!

[OS OK]

A great find…lucky outcome too. I really like that old looking case…all it needs is an old ranch brand on the hide.

[Walter Laich]

all I can say is "Wow!"

way to go

[marlinman93]

A great find…lucky outcome too. I really like that old looking case…all it needs is an old ranch brand on the hide.

Never thought about the brand, but that would have been even neater!

[marlinman93]

Starting a metal restoration on the Schoyen Ballard today. Filling the extra scope threaded holes, and the one extra dovetail. After they are filled and peened, I'll polish the barrel and action out. Rust blue the barrel, and send the action, lever, and breech blocks out for case coloring. Stocks don't need any work, so they'll be left alone.

[marlinman93]

Extra holes and dovetails filled! Roughed in, and ready for draw filing, and polishing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4918.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4918.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4917.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4917.jpg.html)

Polished out receiver, lever, barrel, and breechblock halves. Getting the damaged/missing "G" in the GEO C SCHOYEN rollstamp replaced next. Then off for color case and rust bluing!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4919.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4919.jpg.html)

[Bigslug]

. . .and the 2016 Best Actor award in the Not Screwin' Around category goes to. . .

MARLINMAN93!!!

[marlinman93]

. . .and the 2016 Best Actor award in the Not Screwin' Around category goes to. . .

MARLINMAN93!!!

Thanks BS! I usually take time to warm up to a gun, and get to know it. But this Schoyen is just too neat a gun to leave in it's abused state. It deserves to be brought back to it's original state, where it was a gun a shooter could be very proud of. Considering it's inexpensive purchase price, and it's value once restored; it was kind of a no brainer.

[Bigslug]

Yeah. . .cuz it was absolutely HIDEOUS when you brought it home. . .;)

Glad you're going back to OEM with it. We need to preserve and present more stuff that makes the current industry hang their heads in shame.

[marlinman93]

Yeah. . .cuz it was absolutely HIDEOUS when you brought it home. . .;)

Glad you're going back to OEM with it. We need to preserve and present more stuff that makes the current industry hang their heads in shame.

Well not really hideous, and I could have shot and enjoyed it as is. But I'll be much happier shooting a good looking gun, with proper finish, and not having to make excuses to myself why I didn't fix it up.

[marlinman93]

Just got back from a trip south to visit our daughter, and got back on the Schoyen to finish polishing. I found two places on the lever that appeared to have been welded up holes? After a little pondering, while polishing, I wondered if the lever had once had a grip adapter attached to it, similar to the one that HM Pope sold? I had purchased a Track of the Wolf schuetzen triggerguard long ago, with plans to use it on a project that never happened. I overlaid it on the Pacific style lever, and the points it would contact were very close to the weld marks.
I decided to rework the TOW triggerguard to make it into a grip adapter similar to the Pope style. Once I did some cutting, chopping, filing, and bending, I got a good fit to the Pacific lever. Then I marked the two mounting holes, and drilled both lever and adapter. After that I made sure they lined up, and tapped the Pacific lever for two 10-32 threaded holes.
This is the triggerguard I started with:
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/imgPart/tg-ma-81-b_1.jpg
And this is the almost finished piece mounted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4950.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4950.jpg.html)
I still need to slim it down where it meets the lever, and polish it out also. It's rough sand cast, but brass, so it should polish easily. Once I have the adapter polished out, I'll install it on the lever with some button head allen screws that will allow me to tighten them in the limited space the rear screw has.

[marlinman93]

Did a little reshaping on the stock and forearm today to get rid of the geometric shapes on the PG area, and forearm tip. Couldn't go much further, and not have it looked messed up, but it did improve the looks a lot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4951.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4951.jpg.html)
Took some off the bottom of the perch belly also, as it didn't flow well near the PG area.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4952.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4952.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4953.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4953.jpg.html)

[DLCTEX]

Excellent work.

[marlinman93]

Thanks DLCTEX!

Took several applications of the CT (chromium trioxide) to match the color, but it ended up very close!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4955.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4955.jpg.html)
Now just a few coats of Wipe On Poly, and it should be done.

[Green Frog]

Vall, if you just can't stand to have your Schoyen Ballard in that hairy old case, I've got a #5 Pacific that is hanging around here naked, and it would be proud to wear a fur coat. I'll be happy to take it off your hands. Don't thank me, that's just the kind of nice guy I am. :mrgreen:

Your Friend the Frog

[marlinman93]

Vall, if you just can't stand to have your Schoyen Ballard in that hairy old case, I've got a #5 Pacific that is hanging around here naked, and it would be proud to wear a fur coat. I'll be happy to take it off your hands. Don't thank me, that's just the kind of nice guy I am. :mrgreen:

Your Friend the Frog

Thanks Froggie! But the shipping on this big heavy case might cost more than it's worth! It has to weigh 35-40 lbs.!!!

[marlinman93]

Metal went off in today's mail! Hope to have it all back and finished in time for our August two day collector's display show, so I can make it part of my schuetzen rifle display!

[Chill Wills]

chromium trioxide ?

Used in metal plating and is very reactive in the presents of some other common substances.

You use it to stain the gun stock?

I'm not much past basic when it comes to stock finish. But I do like to tinker on my singleshots. Where can I learn more about what this does.
Sorry - not meant to hijack your great thread.

[marlinman93]

chromium trioxide ?

Used in metal plating and is very reactive in the presents of some other common substances.

You use it to stain the gun stock?

I'm not much past basic when it comes to stock finish. But I do like to tinker on my singleshots. Where can I learn more about what this does.
Sorry - not meant to hijack your great thread.

Absolutely not a problem Chill Wills! CT was used in the 1800's by stock makers to get those wonderful golden hues that really brought out the grain contrast in muzzleloaders. Long before it was used in chroming processes. CT comes as a powder from Dixie Gun Works for $6. Mix it according to instructions with water, or dilute it slightly if you don't want the wood to react and darken too quickly.
I was introduced to it by an old muzzleloader friend, who used it to finish stocks, or more often when repairing stocks. Once you get the knack of it, it makes blending in a repair very easy, and saves refinishing the entire stock. Wipe On Poly finish also works well for gun finish, or repairing the finish. I use both on all my repairs, and WOP on all my new stock finishing.
One of the things I like best about CT is it will darken up the lightest wood with ease! I'm not a fan of blonde wood, and CT is about the only product that will darken some light woods.

One note of caution. Wear gloves whenever using chromium trioxide! Not only will it turn your fingers dark yellow, but it's a possible carcinogen, and can be absorbed through the skin when wet.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=3914

[Chill Wills]

Thanks for that explanation. I think I need to order some and give it a try.

Life is funny - The older I get, the more I learn, the less time I have to put it to good use!

[marlinman93]

Got the as cast finish sanded on the grip adapter I built. Then went to work on the numerous deep gouges in the buttplate. Looked like somebody was very rough when trying to shape it to fit the wood! After hours of filing and sanding, I got the marks off, and reworked the countersunk holes for the buttplate screws. They looked out of round, so a 60 degree cutter was needed to clean them up, and make them round again.
After straightening things up I put them to the buffing wheel and gave them a light polishing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4969.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4969.jpg.html)

[marlinman93]

Got a call last Sunday from Al, and he said the rust bluing and case hardening are done! He did a bit more polishing on the barrel to get the corners even sharper, which I really appreciate! The barrel and parts should be back in my hands in a day or two, and ready for final assembly!
I recently bought a huge supply of new made Ballard screws, so I can reassemble with all new screws! I sent the old screws to Al with the gun so they could be sacrificial screws for the case color process.

[marlinman93]

Look what showed up safe and gorgeous today!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4976.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4976.jpg.html)
As usual, Al Springer hit it out of the ballpark again! Can't wait to reassemble the breech block parts and see the finished gun looking better than before! The fillers in the barrel are impossible to see if you didn't know where they were!

[marlinman93]

Had to clamp it up in my barrel vise and spin the action on! Just slipped the wood, and metal together for a picture, so I could see what it looked like almost finished!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4978.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4978.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4980.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4980.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4981.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4981.jpg.html)
Still have to assemble the breech block halves, and internals. But at least I have a good idea of how it will look and feel!

[marlinman93]

Wife took pity on me, and let me break her no gun parts on the dining room table rule! I assembled the set triggers and breechblock, so she's complete now!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4984.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4984.jpg.html)

[Spruce]

Fine looking firearm Marlinman, you did well.

[M-Tecs]

I am impressed and I don't impress easily. Nice work and nice rifle!!!!

[waksupi]

If you do not properly neutralize chromium trioxide, it will turn green as grass in a couple years.

[marlinman93]

If you do not properly neutralize chromium trioxide, it will turn green as grass in a couple years.

If you don't hit it with a rag dampened with water, it will continue to darken until the wood is nearly black! Simply wiping it with a damp rag stops the process, and keeps it from turning darker, or color. I have stocks here I did 6-7 years ago, and still look as they did when I refinished them.

[marlinman93]

Fine looking firearm Marlinman, you did well.

Thank you! I'm much happier with it now, and Al's work was very fairly priced!

[marlinman93]

I am impressed and I don't impress easily. Nice work and nice rifle!!!!

Thanks M-tecs! I appreciate the comment!

[waksupi]

If you don't hit it with a rag dampened with water, it will continue to darken until the wood is nearly black! Simply wiping it with a damp rag stops the process, and keeps it from turning darker, or color. I have stocks here I did 6-7 years ago, and still look as they did when I refinished them.

Give it time. Baking soda neutralizes.

[marlinman93]

Give it time. Baking soda neutralizes.

Give it time? You mean 6-7 years isn't enough? I'd guess if that's not enough, it's not going to happen in my life. I'm too old already!

[TXGunNut]

Beautiful rifle, thanks for letting us follow your project. Nicely done! Are you going to shoot it?

[marlinman93]

Beautiful rifle, thanks for letting us follow your project. Nicely done! Are you going to shoot it?

Thanks! Yes, I shoot all my guns. And a Schoyen barrel is one of the finest shooting barrels ever made! To let it sit in a safe and not shoot it would be sacrilege!

[flint45]

Wow that came out great have fun shooting such a beautiful rifle.

[marlinman93]

Wow that came out great have fun shooting such a beautiful rifle.

Thanks flint45! I will put it into my "schuetzen display" for our annual Oregon Arms Collectors 2 day show in 4 weeks. Then it's off to the range for some load work up after that. Hopefully it will like some loads I have for other guns in the same .32-40 caliber. But I need to slug the bore first, and se if it takes the same bullet as any others. I have .32-40's that take anything from .317" to .323" bullets, so hope one of them matches up!

[Green Frog]

I'm in an advanced state of green with envy, Vall. That one of the nicest Ballards I've ever seen pictured and as you know, I've gotten to look at a lot of them. What scope are you planning on using on it? BTW, did you get one of the recent copies of the old WH French design bullet in 32-40 from that group buy? I'd guess that would be a nice one to try in it if the size is right. :coffeecom

Please take lots of pix at the OAC and post them here or on the ASSRA forum. It's still just a little too far for me to travel from VA. :(

Regards,
Froggie

[marlinman93]

Thanks Froggie! Considering how many I'm sure you've seen, that's a much appreciated compliment!
It came with a 20x Super Targetspot with ultra fine crosshairs. I am not sure I like the crosshairs, as they seem so fine I have trouble seeing them. But I will wait until I go to the range, and decide if I'll have them changed. I have a friend who does scope repair, and he wants the crosshair piece badly, and says he'll swap me with something slightly heavier if I want them.
I didn't buy that group buy mold at ASSRA, as I have several really good .32 molds that work on other .32-40's. Hopefully one of them will work with the Schoyen bore and give good accuracy!
Got a coat of satin poly wiped on the receiver to protect the case colors, and give a little sheen to it too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/DSCF4985.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/DSCF4985.jpg.html)

[Three44s]

marlinman93,

I must say ......... you are a master with that rifle!

It was a great pleasure following up on your thread to this point and I don't even really personally follow this type of rifle .......

(I hope I did not catch the bug? .......... LOL!)

Nice JOB!

Best regards

Three 44s

[marlinman93]

marlinman93,

I must say ......... you are a master with that rifle!

It was a great pleasure following up on your thread to this point and I don't even really personally follow this type of rifle .......

(I hope I did not catch the bug? .......... LOL!)

Nice JOB!

Best regards

Three 44s

Thank you! It's a tough bug to shake, so hope you are immune! Another one just dropped in my lap, but don't want to jinx the deal by talking until the deal is done!