Ballard .44-40

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:21 pm

Just picked up this Ballard #2 Sporting Rifle in .44-40 on Saturday. Been waiting a couple weeks for a friend to complete the deal, so I could get it. Nothing really special to look at, but the centerfire only #2 in .44-40 is a tough one to find!
This gun has a good bore, and original sights, but the buttstock was pretty broken up! Split all the way down the left side from receiver to buttplate, and some one had done a poor repair, and roughly sanded and varnished it.
Fortunately the wood was all there, and the sanding wasn't near the mating to metal, so easily fixed. Had to split the old repair, and correctly Acraglass it, then sand the rough sanding job smooth, and properly refinish the wood. It came out very good, and will make a great shooter, plus fill the empty spot I had for a .44-40 Ballard!

Just picked up this Ballard #2 Sporting Rifle in .44-40 on Saturday. Been waiting a couple weeks for a friend to complete the deal, so I could get it. Nothing really special to look at, but the centerfire only #2 in .44-40 is a tough one to find!
This gun has a good bore, and original sights, but the buttstock was pretty broken up! Split all the way down one side from receiver to buttplate, and some one had done a poor repair, and roughly sanded and varnished it.
Fortunately the wood was all there, and the sanding wasn't near the mating to metal, so easily fixed. Had to split the old repair, and correctly Acraglass it, then sand the rough sanding job smooth, and properly refinish the wood. It came out very good, and will make a great shooter, plus fill the empty spot I had for a .44-40 Ballard!

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:28 pm

How many U got now ?

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:05 pm

#2 Sporting Rifles; I think about 8-9? Ballards in general I believe around 14-15?

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:15 pm

Musta got one of them GOOD wives!

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:23 pm

That would be a fun gun to shoot as you know, single shots are usually in rifle calibers. Sure seems like a thick barrel for a .44. Let us know how she shoots! Oh BTW, 'ya better grab your cat. I see it sneaking up on your Ballard

--------------Sixgun

DavidS · Post by **DavidS** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:37 pm

Great looking Ballard! I need to expand my Ballard collection too.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:52 pm

Sure looks nice. Looking forward to that range report!

Marlin .35 · Post by **Marlin .35** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:04 pm

Outstanding firearm!!!! I'd just like to touch it!!!!!!!Art

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:17 pm

That looks great Vall. You're fast. Did you do anything to the receiver or is that how it came to you?

Thanks for the pics/post!

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:43 pm

Sweet! Where do you find all these Ballards?

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:04 pm

71fan wrote:That looks great Vall. You're fast. Did you do anything to the receiver or is that how it came to you?

Thanks for the pics/post!

Only repaired the stocks. The rest is as it came to me.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:11 pm

TedH wrote:Sweet! Where do you find all these Ballards?

Thanks! I find most of them locally at gun shows, but a few came from gun shops around here. This one was found in a gun shop by a good friend who called me about buying it. I asked him if he would consider selling it, if he did get it, as I wanted one in .44-40.
The shop was asking $649 for it, and he called me later to say he got it for $500. I offered him the original price, but he refused to sell it. The next day he was at my house and told me I owed him $500 for a Ballard in .44-40. Wouldn't take a dime for a finder's fee.
Makes a guy feel pretty humble to have such friends!

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:56 pm

Oh that's nice!!!