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LOT 3052
Marlin Ballard Off-Hand Schuetzen Pattern Single Shot Rifle with
Scopes and Winchester Barrel - Serial no. 36620, 22 LR cal., 29 3/4 inch round heavy bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1881
to the early 1890s, these Marlin Ballard rifles were highly prized by competitive target shooters around the turn of the century, with this example showing
the upgrades and modifications desired by just such a shooter. The most notable modification is the no. 3 weight Winchester barrel chambered in .22 LR. The
left side of the action has the standard Marlin and Ballard markings and the serial number is on the bottom. The barrel has the standard Winchester markings.
The barrel is fitted with a windgauge front sight, two scope blocks/bases at the rear, and there is a Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang. The scope
blocks are currently fitted with a Lyman Junior Targetspot scope. It is mounted with a custom-made forearm with cork palm rest (some absent pieces of cork)
and a checkered Schuetzen type buttstock with a straight grip, cheek piece, and a nickeled Swiss pattern buttplate. Includes a J. Unertl 20 power scope with
bases and a hardwood scope carry case.
CONDITION: Fine as period upgraded, retaining 50% of the factory blue finish on the Winchester barrel with some scattered patches of light pitting. The
receiver shows faint case color patterns, the balance a grey patina, and some scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is fine with some scattered minor
handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Both of the scopes are very good with clear optics.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3051
Maynard Model 1873 Single Shot Rifle - Serial no. 24340, 40 cal., 28
inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Flip-up Beach front sight and elevator rear sight mounted on the blue finished barrel, with a tang
mounted ladder peep sight. Casehardened frame with four-line Maynard patent on the left next to “1873”, and the serial number “24340” is marked on the bottom of the
barrel and on the lower tang. Checkered varnished fancy grain walnut stock with pistol grip and steel buttplate. Includes a modern metal box containing some custom brass shell
casings, lead cast bullets, and reloading tools.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally period refinished, retains 50% blue finish on the barrel, 70% case colors with some faded markings. Wood is also fine, with a crack visible on the left ahead
of the buttplate, a few handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3049
Fine Marlin Ballard No. 8 “Union Hill” Single Shot Falling Block Rifle in .38-55
W.C.F. with Scarce Soule Tang Peep Sight - Serial no. 28745, 38-55 WCF cal., 30 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c.
1884 to 1890, Marlin marketed their “Union Hill” rifle as “a complete rifle at a moderate price”, with the intentions of making it the “working man’s” target rifle, sold for the
reasonable price of $37.50 in the first year of production and $34 thereafter. These rifles are seen with modest checkering on the wood or without, and they came standard
with a pistol grip stock with cheekpiece and a nickel plated off-hand buttplate, as well as double set triggers. The two standard calibers offered for this model were .32-40 and .38-55.
For an extra cost of $3, Marlin would equip the rifle with their “improved mid-range” peep sight and a windgauge front sight like seen on this example. This example has the standard two-
line Marlin address and Ballard patent marking on the left of the receiver and caliber marking on top of the barrel at the breech. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver, bottom of the barrel,
rear face of the forearm, and inside the buttplate. The butt of the stock under the buttplate is stamped “L.M.P.” It is fitted with a special order Marlin-Ballard windgauge front sight, no provision for a rear sight on the barrel,
and a scarce Soule windgauge elevation peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth Schnabel tip forearm and pistol grip stock with cheekpiece and a nickeled off-hand buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the thinned original blue finish and 40% of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of light spotting. The wood is
also fine with a small splice in the forend, some scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3048
Desirable Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen Single Shot Rifle
with Unique Combination Lever Spur/Palm Rest and W. Beckmann Heavy Target Barrel -
Serial no. 2164, 38 cal., 32 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1881, this is a solid representative example of a Marlin Ballard
No. 6 Schuetzen rifle that was period fitted with a heavy target barrel by W. Beckmann. These rifles were highly desirable for competitive shooters around the turn of the
century and are often found fitted with their preferred precision barrels and modifications for more accurate shooting, like on this example. Along with the heavy target
barrel, the lever on this rifle was period modified with a finger spur/palm rest incorporated into the loop lever. The standard three-line J.M. Marlin and Ballard markings
are on the left of the action and the serial number is on the bottom. The bottom of the barrel is numbered to match the receiver and the W. Beckmann markings are on the front face of
the muzzle. The barrel is chambered in an unidentified .38 caliber cartridge. It is fitted with a globe front sight with spirit level, no provisions for a rear sight on the barrel, and a long rang Vernier peep sight
mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a checkered forearm with horn Schnabel tip and a straight grip stock with high Schuetzen comb, prominent cheek piece and a nickeled brass Swiss buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the original blue finish on the Beckmann barrel and 30% of the original case colors on the action with the balance having thinned to either a brown or grey patina and a few scattered
patches of light spotting/oxidation. The wood is also very good with numerous scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering on the forearm. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3050
Marlin Ballard Falling Block Single Shot Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 4002, 40 cal., 30 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured from 1876 to 1891, this is a solid example of one of Marlin’s more standard configuration Ballard rifles. The left side of the action has the
standard three-line J.M. Marlin address and Ballard’s patent marking. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the action and bottom of the barrel. It is fitted
with a German silver blade front sight, elevation adjustable buckhorn hear sight, and a Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang (extra mounting hole visible). It is mounted with a
smooth Schnabel tip forearm and nicely figured straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains strong traces of the thinned original blue finish and faint traces of the original case colors in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina. The wood is also
very good with a minor crack in the left of the wrist and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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