Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
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- marlinman93
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- Location: Oregon
Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Another annual Oregon Arms Collectors show was this weekend. I saw numerous guns I loved, but only one I wish I could take home. It belonged to a good friend, and after a weekend of wheeling and dealing we finally came to a trade agreement with less than 10 minutes left in the show today!! Even ended up with some cash back for the guns I traded to him. Yes, it took multiples to get the 4 1/2.
It's a Nimschke engraved #4 1/2 A-1 in .44-75 Ballard caliber. A new caliber for me to go with the new gun. Hopefully some bullets I have for others will fit the bore! Barrel is a 30" half octagon, and bore looks pristine! If it shoots as good as it looks I'll be very happy! Well actually I'm already pretty darn happy!
It's a Nimschke engraved #4 1/2 A-1 in .44-75 Ballard caliber. A new caliber for me to go with the new gun. Hopefully some bullets I have for others will fit the bore! Barrel is a 30" half octagon, and bore looks pristine! If it shoots as good as it looks I'll be very happy! Well actually I'm already pretty darn happy!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Wow! Man, you got some classy stuff.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
You did well again.
I did a wheeling and dealing with Dave G. and brought a pretty nice S&W K22 (pre Model 17) home. Great show as usual.
I did a wheeling and dealing with Dave G. and brought a pretty nice S&W K22 (pre Model 17) home. Great show as usual.
I know a whole lot about very little and nothing about a whole lot.
- 2ndovc
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Wow! That's a beauty!
jb
jb
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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- Location: Oregon
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Dave has a great S&W collection!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
- marlinman93
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Thanks! A real bucket list gun for me. Made in 1875-76 from the serial number.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Nice looking rifle. Hope you have fun shooting it.
D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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- Location: Oregon
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Did some research on the caliber and found the dimensions are pretty common. .605"rim, .498" base, and 2.5" length. That's very close to the .45-90, but .1" shorter than the Ballard. .45-100 is 2.6" so slightly longer. I may try sizing .45-90 down and see if they grow a little. Starline has both .45-90 and .45-100, so easy to get donor brass. Not so easy to get dies! C&H4D are a bit over $200 a 3 die set.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Marlinman you are some kind of cool gun magnet . Well done!
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Thanks octagon!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
-
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Vall, your Ballard collection has to be one of the nicest extant. If anyone ever writes another Ballard book, they're going to have to start at your house!
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
She`s a beauty, congrats on getting it.
Because I Can, and Have
-------------------------------------------------------------
USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
-------------------------------------------------------------
USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6473
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Thanks Bill and Pitchy!
After slugging the bore, it appears it is not a .44 caliber for sure! It slugged at .411" and I decided to try one of my sized and loaded rounds from my .40-63/70 Rigby Ballard in the chamber. It dropped right in, so might be that caliber.
Will need to do a chamber cast to ensure it is the .40-63/70, but if it is I've already got everything needed to load and shoot it! Even ammo loaded with the correct size bullet since my Rigby is the same bore size!
After slugging the bore, it appears it is not a .44 caliber for sure! It slugged at .411" and I decided to try one of my sized and loaded rounds from my .40-63/70 Rigby Ballard in the chamber. It dropped right in, so might be that caliber.
Will need to do a chamber cast to ensure it is the .40-63/70, but if it is I've already got everything needed to load and shoot it! Even ammo loaded with the correct size bullet since my Rigby is the same bore size!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Man, you're either the luckiest or most blessed gun trader around. That is extremely beautiful and if it turns out to be chambered for a caliber you already have loading stuff for, well WOW! Looking forward to seeing some groups from it.
M. M. Wright, Sheriff, Green county Arkansas (1860)
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
- Griff
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
WOW! I got up to Aurora, OR on Saturday afternoon. Met with a friend who came up from Sublimity on Sunday and we looked for a place to shoot. No joy, if we'd known there was a gunshow... we probably would've went there. Missed an opportunity to drool on your guns in person!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Sorry you missed the show Griff! The OAC show is one of the finest collectable gun shows in the country. Not as big as some huge shows, but the quality is as good or better than any other show. The displays at the show are just about the best ever seen anywhere!Griff wrote: ↑Mon Aug 13, 2018 3:06 pm WOW! I got up to Aurora, OR on Saturday afternoon. Met with a friend who came up from Sublimity on Sunday and we looked for a place to shoot. No joy, if we'd known there was a gunshow... we probably would've went there. Missed an opportunity to drool on your guns in person!
This was my display at the show. All Ballard rifles customized by the old master gunsmiths like Pope, Schoyen, Peterson, and Zettler Bros.
And this was my good friend's Savage display:
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
- GunnyMack
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Great find!
Your display looks right nice too!
Wait a 99 with a bayonet?! Didn't know that was a factory option.
Your display looks right nice too!
Wait a 99 with a bayonet?! Didn't know that was a factory option.
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Yes Gunny, the Savage musket came with a bayonet. And unlike the Marlin musket which used an Enfield bayonet, the Savage used a bayonet of their own manufacture. Quite a few Savage muskets were purchased by Canada for the home guard to defend against German or Japanese invasion. Very few found their way back here, or even survived the rough use of the home guard.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
- GunnyMack
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Well I learned something today!
I never would of thunk od that!
I never would of thunk od that!
BROWN LABS MATTER !!
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
John's musket has the Canadian maple leaf stamp used on those that went north.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
-
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
wow ! your collection and your new finds [ not to mention your knowledge ] just always amaze me ! great find....just beautiful in every way.
cable
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Thanks a lot!
The 4 1/2 is apart in the basement now to repair the chips broken off the horn tip. Have it filled in and after 24 hrs. I'll shape the fill down and recut the grooves to match the original horn.
Saran Wrap around the barrel, and taped off to protect it. Mixed up some Acraglass gel and added some brown flocking to color it to match the horn tip. Once it sets up for 24 hrs. I'll remove the tape and Saran Wrap and shape it down to match the horn tip.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Removed the forearm today. The Saran Wrap did it's job and it easily came off.
The blue tape is even with the edges of the break, so once it finishes curing I'll carefully cut through the epoxy at the parting line and the excess will come off the tape and not be on the wood. Then I'll shape it down and cut the accent lines again, and give it a light coat of Wipe On Poly to seal it.
The blue tape is even with the edges of the break, so once it finishes curing I'll carefully cut through the epoxy at the parting line and the excess will come off the tape and not be on the wood. Then I'll shape it down and cut the accent lines again, and give it a light coat of Wipe On Poly to seal it.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Very nice !
Did Zischang I think I spelled it correctly ever do any target rifles on the Ballard's ?
Did Zischang I think I spelled it correctly ever do any target rifles on the Ballard's ?
Parkers , Mannlicher Schoenauer’s , 6.5mm's and my family in the Philippines !
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Yes, and quite a few too! I've seen numerous Zischang schuetzen Ballards.
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Did you not at some point have a Zischang something or other ?marlinman93 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 15, 2018 2:46 pmYes, and quite a few too! I've seen numerous Zischang schuetzen Ballards.
Parkers , Mannlicher Schoenauer’s , 6.5mm's and my family in the Philippines !
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
I have a Zettler Ballard, but not a Zischang. Have several Schoyen Ballards, and a couple Pope Ballards. I hope to get a Zischang someday!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6473
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
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Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
Just about finished. Needs a few coats of WOP to bring up the sheen, and then should be OK. Not a perfect match, but better than missing horn!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
Re: Ballard 4 1/2 A-1 Mid Range
That's a beauty!
I hope it shoots as good as it looks.
-Stretch
I hope it shoots as good as it looks.
-Stretch