This rifle was manufactured circa mid to late 1865 by Ball & Williams. Of the approximately 15,600 rifles and carbines produced by the firm from 1862-1865, only an estimate 5,000 of the civilian sporting rifles were produced. The extra length of the barrel on this example was likely a special order given the standard lengths for .44 rimfire were 24, 26, and 28 inches. The left side of the receiver is marked "BALL & WILLIAMS/WORCESTER MASS" and "MERWIN & BRAY. AGT/NEW YORK" (faint). The right side of the receiver is clearly marked "BALLARD'S PATENT/NOV. 5 1861". The receiver was engraved by L.D. Nimschke and his distinctive style of scroll engraving along with a game scene panel scene on the left side. This pattern is incredibly similar to the engraved panel from Nimschke's pattern book pictured on page 26 of L. D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver by R. L. Wilson. Note that the third panel down on the left has similar scroll work and Nimschke's small "N" mark at the bottom of the scene just like this rifle. The game scene is also a close match to the scene on the bottom left of page 5 of the same work. The barrel and top of the action have the matching serial number. It has a globe front sight with a "pin" post, an empty dovetail scope/sight slot just behind it, and a corresponding second empty slot towards the breech. The Merwin & Bray patented dual ignition hammer has the 1864 patent marking on the left side. The rifle also has a tang peep sight and two tapped holes behind the sight. The straight grip stock and forearm have coarse checkering, a brass forend tip, and crescent buttplate.

Very good. The barrel retains 30% of the faded original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance and a large area of moderate to deep pitting present on left side of barrel. The receiver, lever, hammer, breechblock and buttplate retain traces of case colors. The wood is fine with some chipping around the extractor and some minor handling marks. The percussion nipple is absent. Mechanically fine.