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.

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!