Marlin Ballard #2 Info?

[Ruprect2]

I have inherited what, in my limited knowledge, I think is a Marlin Ballard #2.  

Does anyone know anything about these?  Serial number is 36XXX, so late 1880s-1890s?  It's stamped 32 Long on the barrel.  The barrel is bright with no pitting and nice rifling.  The finish is mostly surface rust so I've wiped it down in oil.

Is it common to reload for these?

I'm also curious about value due to one place telling me $800 and another told me I wasted a gallon of gas picking it up (not possible, I love family guns).

Thanks for any info,

Jarrad

Edited June 6, 2017 by Ruprect2

[Ruprect2]

[RED333]

Some of the old Ballards are rim fire, hard to reload. is yours CF or RF?

[Smokin45]

Is there a model number any where? Can't quite make out the markings on receiver. It's a rolling block? Looked for it in the blue book can't find it.

[Ruprect2]

No model number that I can find. Receiver stamped:

Marlin Firearms Co New Haven CT USA

Patented February ? 1876

Ballard's Patent Nov 5 1881

It is a falling / rolling block.  Not sure on rimfire or center.  Here is the chamber and hammer (sorry for all the crappy phone pictures).

Thanks!

 

[Smokin45]

Look at the firing pin does it appear to be in the center or on the side of the face plate?

[Ruprect2]

I can only see the back of the block since the front is covering the chamber and when levered it falls into the receiver, but from the back it appears to be in the center?

[Smokin45]

Found one on arms list like yours but with set and fire triggers. http://www.armslist.com/posts/4304584/sacramento-california-antiques-for-sale--marlin-ballard-sporting-rifle-no-2-octogon-barrel-with-set-triggers-1876-32-rim check it out it will give you an idea of what you have

[Ruprect2]

That does look just like it with the same receiver stamping (dates were much clearer on that one), but as you pointed out no double triggers on mine.

[Smokin45]

As said in advertisement double triggers are rare. That's about all I have hope it helps. Good luck going forward with your research.

[Ruprect2]

Much appreciated!

[gregintenn]

That's cool!

It is my understanding that the firing pin can be removed and turned upside down to change from rim fire to centerfire. It should take a 32 Long Colt, which is out of production. A 32 Short Colt can still be found, and would probably work. These rounds fire a heeled bullet like a 22 rimfire, and are not interchangeable with the 32 s&w. Your rifle was designed for black powder, so low pressure is the order of the day.

Edited June 6, 2017 by gregintenn

[MP5_Rizzo]

As far as value goes I think it is definitely in the $500 - $700 + or - range just by looking at the pictures.  It's a family piece so that value far out weighs monetary value the way I see it.  I have a few family pieces and some are just common clunkers with little or no real value.  One or two could be traded up to something much more useful to me and very high end price wise.  I would not take 5 or more times what the fair market value is because once it's gone, in most circumstances the family connection ends there.   I'm not going to be the relative that's known as the grandfather, father, uncle or whatever with the story told after I'm gone, well if he hadn't sold that whatever it would still be in the family today.

[Ruprect2]

Thanks for the updates!

I've been very fortunate to receive several quality functioning firearms from mine and my wife's family though most are rough finish wise.

im going to try to work up the gumption this weekend to disassemble it a little to oil and explore more.

Maybe try to source some of that Short Colt.

 

[MP5_Rizzo]

50 minutes ago, Ruprect2 said:

Thanks for the updates!

My apologies if I missed something but what about the revolver in the picture?

[Ruprect2]

Ah, a glutton for more crappy cell phone pictures...excellent! 

Hadn't gotten around to it yet.  S&W bottom break, short cylinder (.22 short?).  On barrel rib:

Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass Pat Apr.3.55 July 5.59.Dec.1880 (or 60?)

Serial on butt 127XXX

No other visible markings.

Looking at Wiki maybe a Model 1 Third Issue? 

Edited June 7, 2017 by Ruprect2