The Ball carbine was designed and patented by Albert Ball of Worchester, Mass. Mr. Ball secured a patent for a breechloading, metallic cartridge carbine (#38,935) on June 23, 1863.

The patent rights were subsequently purchased by E.G. Lamson of Windsor, VT, in order to produce the carbine. Mr. Lamson managed to secure government contracts to deliver 1,000 of the patent carbines firing the 56-50 rimfire “Spencer” cartridge. Two sample Ball carbines were delivered to the Ordnance Department on January 17, 1865. With Ball now working as Lamson’s superintendent, the company proceeded to manufacture the 1,000 Ball weapons. None of which would be delivered before the end of the Civil War. The 1,000 contracted Ball carbines were all delivered on May 14, 1865, only 6 days after General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House.

The Ball carbine represented a sort of “improved” Spencer carbine. The Ball design used a tubular magazine, as did the Spencer, but it was mounted under the barrel of the gun, instead of in the buttstock. The seven-round magazine was loaded through the action, which was opened by lowering the trigger guard. This allowed the insertion of cartridges directly into the magazine tube under the barrel. The magazine was tensioned by a long spring, which had to be compressed and retained to allow loading. This was accomplished by pulling a long rod that resembled a cleaning rod, out from the fore end of the carbine. When the rod was fully extended, the spring was compressed and was captured by a small catch at the end of the fore end. Once the magazine was fully loaded, the catch was released and the spring tensioned the magazine to push the cartridges towards the action. The Ball operated much like a Spencer, lowering the trigger guard opened the action, ejected a fired cartridge case and allowed a fresh cartridge to be pushed onto the lifter. Closing the action chambered the round.

The Ball Carbine had a 20” round barrel and a two-piece walnut stock. A short sling bar and ring were mounted on the left side of the receiver. The barrel was blued and the receiver was case hardened, as were the trigger guard, hammer, and butt plate. The fore end of the carbine was secured by a barrel band about mid-way between the receiver and muzzle, and with a combination barrel band/end cap near the muzzle, which contained the magazine spring catch mechanism. The spring compression rod, which extends below the lower right side of the barrel was left “in the white” and was not finished.

This particular Ball Carbine remains in very nice condition. The gun is mechanically excellent and all systems function as they should, including the action, hammer, trigger and magazine system. The gun retains original blue on the barrel, which had faded to a nice plum-brown color. The receiver retains much of the original case coloring. The gun metal of the carbine is almost entirely smooth throughout. The bore remains clean with strong rifling. The left side of the receiver is clearly marked: “E. G. LAMSON & CO. / WINDSOR, VT. / U.S. / BALL’S PATENT / JUNE 23, 1863 / MAR 25, 1864.” The original leaf sight is at the breech and a blade sight at the muzzle. A small “S” inspection stamp is found on several parts on the carbine. The original sling bar and ring are present on the left side of the receiver. The buttstock and forestock of the carbine remain in very good condition with only a few minor bumps and dings. The left wrist retains a very crisp and clear cartouche.

Overall, this is a very nice example of a scarce late-Civil War carbine that just didn’t quite make it in time to reach the battlefields. [jet] [ph:L]

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