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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!
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
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.
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!
Because I Can, and Have
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USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
This was my display at the show. All Ballard rifles customized by the old master gunsmiths like Pope, Schoyen, Peterson, and Zettler Bros.
GunnyMack wrote: ↑Mon Aug 13, 2018 5:34 pm
Great find!
Your display looks right nice too!
Wait a 99 with a bayonet?! Didn't know that was a factory option.
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.
hfcable wrote: ↑Tue Aug 14, 2018 12:45 pm
wow ! your collection and your new finds [ not to mention your knowledge ] just always amaze me ! great find....just beautiful in every way.
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.
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.
