Ballard carbine

[CSAagain]

So this followed me home today..a Ballard carbine.
This is one I'm not too familiar with, so any thoughts and opinions will be most welcomed.
Markings are 'BALLARD'S PATENT, NOV 5 1861'
'BALL & WILLIAMS, WORCESTER MASS.'
'MERWIN & BRAY AGT'S, NEW YORK'
Serial number is 886.
.44 rimfire?
There is a series of numbers on the bottom of the forestock. Cannot make those out yet.
Action is tight, no rattle, bore is great.
Front sight has been replaced at some point.
I have read that less than 24,000 of these are estimated to have been made, a number of them going to Kentucky and Iowa cavalry units.
Enjoy the pics!

 

[JOHN42768]

Ballard carbines have great balance, just feels right in your hands. You can see mine @ https://civilwartalk.com/threads/ballard-1862-carbine-aka-army-1864.147382/#post-1842384

 

[plymouthairrifle]

A Ballard carbine is still on my wish list! Good find.

 

[UCVRelics]

Congrats on a nice Ballard. Thanks for sharing.

 

[WJC]

Thanks for posting the photos of your beautiful new friend. Did your wife buy the 'followed me home' story?

 

[CSAagain]

Not married..its easier to collect these that way!

 

[johan_steele]

I need a Ballard rifle, Spencer Rifle... the only two ACW breech loaders I need. While I'd like a Sharps rifle I expect I will have to be content with my Shiloh.

 

[CSAagain]

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a centerfire conversion.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Yes, it is at least an attempt to convert it to center fire. Also, the upper portion of the hammer spur is missing, about a half inch or so.
J.

 

[CSAagain]

Any ideas as to year of manufacture? Also, has anyone ever seen the numbers, or letters, on the underside of the forest like this one?

 

[CSAagain]

That's 'forestock'.

 

[JOHN42768]

Not sure what info you have, but it is a model 1862 (AKA 1864 Army). Fairly early production. Probable Fall of 1862. Not part of any Federal government contract, but could have been a state contract. Serial numbers were stamped into the early wood. Look on the left side of the hammer, serial should be there also. My eyes could be wrong, but I think serial number is 586. Front sight besides being a replacement is also installed backwards

 

[CSAagain]

Yes, 886 is the serial number on barrel and receiver, and is the number on the hammer..although it is partially obstructed by a pin. Looks as though it has had a centerfire conversion done quite a while ago.
The extractor lever is different from the majority of others I've seen online as well.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Your extractor is the early type, and correct for your low serial number.

In the event you may have any thoughts about ever shooting this Ballard sometime in the future I would highly recommend against doing so. The reason I say this is because the Ballards that predate the Marlin Ballard all have very weak receivers, and are prone to crack at the square corners of the rectangular cut for the breech block. The breech on yours is made from malleable cast iron. Marlin used this same material in their very early production, and very quickly discovered the high failure rate with the newer cartridges being used in the mid-1870's. Marlin then changed to real steel receivers and their Ballard became one of the most sought after single shot rifles of the era.
J.

 

[CSAagain]

Thanks for all the info. No, definitely won't be shooting this one..if it got damaged there would be little chance of replacing it. Its serving just fine as a part of my collection.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

cool find