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LOT 1068
Rare Special Ordered Factory
Game Panel Scene Engraved
J.M. Marlin Deluxe Ballard No.
5 Pacific Single Shot Rifle -
Serial no. 6614, 40-70 cal., 28 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. The desirable
No. 5 “Pacific” model Ballard rifle was
manufactured around 1876 to 1891, with this example being
made prior to 1881 with the two-line J.M. Marlin address and
patent marking on the left side of the frame. The “Pacific” rifles
were highly prized as hunting rifles in the American west for their power and accuracy. Due
to this, the No. 5 Ballards are most often seen in their standard, utilitarian configuration and
rarely with any form of embellishment or special features. In “Ballard: The Great American Single
Shot Rifle” by Dutcher, he states that “With the exception of upgraded sights, the Pacific model is
rarely encountered with other than standard equipment.” He goes on to state that a few were fitted with
selected walnut checkered stocks, occasionally are seen with one of a few types of shotgun buttplate, and
that engraved Pacifics are extremely rare. Incredibly, this specific rifle checks all those boxes. Dutcher notes one other
Pacific he is aware of as being engraved by the legendary master L.D. Nimschke, which also appears to be the case with this rifle. The
other engraved example however, is not game scene engraved like this one, and this is the only example that we are aware of that bears
panel scene engraving like this. The frame of this rifle shows extensive, beautifully executed floral scroll and border engraving surrounding game
scenes on both sides. The scene on the right features a dog fighting a bear, while the left shows hounds pursuing a stag, with a very similar scene shown on p. 22 of “L.D.
Nimschke Firearms Engraver” by R.L. Wilson. The engraving is unsigned, but is almost certainly the work of Nimschke’s hand. The left side of the action is marked with the
standard two-line J.M. Marlin address and Ballard’s patent marking. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame and the bottom of the barrel. It is fitted with
a globe front sight with a fixed beaded post, an elevation adjustable Marlin “Rocky Mountain” notch rear sight, and a Marlin “Improved Graduated Peep Sight” mounted on the
upper tang. The front sight dovetail was filled during the period of use, with the dovetail recut in the same location. There are two ramrod pipes fitted under the barrel, with a third
dovetail filled between them, which appears to have been done at the factory. It is mounted with a nicely figured, multi-point checkered Schnabel tip forearm with a horn nose cap and a
checkered straight grip stock with Ballard marked, checkered, hard rubber shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the original blue finish, some blue touch up on the front ramrod pipe, and faint case color patterns with the balance either a plum brown or grey
patina, some scattered small patches of light surface pitting/oxidation, and crisp engraving. The wood is also very good with a couple minor wrist cracks, moderate wear on the forearm
checkering, and scattered minor handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a very scarce special ordered, factory panel scene engraved Ballard
No. 5 Pacific rifle!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1069
Scarce and Desirable Wood Paneled Action Sharps Borchardt Model 1878
Mid-Range Rifle - Serial no. 7047, 40 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This is one of only 215 Mid-Range
rifles manufactured between 1877 to 1880. This
example has the desirable wood panels on the sides
of the action, a blade front sight, the Old Reliable
marking (no border) and Bridgeport address, notch and
folding ladder rear sight, tang mounted mid-range Vernier peep sight, plain trigger,
checkered Schnabel forearm and sculpted pistol grip stock with checkered shotgun
buttplate. Matching serial numbers are found on the bottom of the barrel and ahead
of the trigger on the frame.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the thinning
original blue finish on the barrel with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and
some light pitting at the muzzle. The lightly sanded and re-varnished wood is good with
some scattered minor dings and scratches, a hairline crack in the left of the wrist, and
some minor blemishes in the mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
Collector’s Fact
According to "Ballard:
The Great American Single
Shot Rifle" by Dutcher, the
author is aware of only two
factory engraved Marlin No. 5
Pacific single shot rifles.
Collector’s Fact
According to "Sharps Firearms" by Sellers, only 215 Sharps Model
1878 Mid Range rifles were manufactured from 1877 to 1880.
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