Ball and Williams were the first and largest makers of Ballard rifles and carbines, producing them from 1862 to 1865, with the majority of the 15,600 made by the company going to military contracts. This sporting model .44 caliber rimfire carbine has a fully octagonal barrel and is serial numbered 1483, putting it very early in their production run as well as making it a scarce type. Both front and rear sights are in place, and the tang has been fitted with a folding, adjustable peep sight.

The wood is very good, with some handling marks and scuffs on the buttstock, but a good fit. The forestock is dark, as are the wrist and upper and lower edges of the buttstock but the center of the flat on either side is lighter and shows some nice grain (perhaps exposed from rubbing to a darkened varnish.) Both set off nicely the brass mounts, which have a deep, very pretty, untouched, mustard patina: a nose cap with extended ball and spearpoint on the bottom, along with a brass barrel screw, and a brass escutcheon plate for the ejector, which still shows blue, along with a deep crescent buttplate.

The fully octagonal barrel shows as thin blue shading to plum and is largely smooth metal, but does have some freckling near the muzzle and on some flats near the breech where it obscures the top line of the BALLARD’S PATENT / NOV.5.1861 stamp and most of the BALL & WILLIAMS / WORCESTER MASS stamp. The MERWYN & BRAY AGTS / NEW YORK stamp is fully legible, but a little rubbed across the middle. The serial number is deep and crisp. The top of the receiver, hammer, and triggerguard are very good, the latter showing some blue. The sides of the receiver show some shallow pinprick pitting and are a mix of thin brown and muted silver-gray.

This is a very pretty Ballard sporting carbine with a very pleasing, untouched look.  [sr] [ph:L]

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