Marlin manufactured the No. 6 circa 1881 to 1891. This example was manufactured circa 1881 based on the J.M. Marlin address on the left side of the receiver. In 1881, the company was reorganized as the Marlin Firearms Company. The rifle has a wind gauge adjustable globe front sight with spirit level, scope mounting blocks, and a rear dovetail filler block on the top of an "A.W. PETERSON DENVER. COLO." marked heavy barrel. The forged non rebated, pistol grip action has the standard scrollwork engraving, a bear scene on the right, and a standing elk on the left and is fitted with a mid-range Vernier peep sight, double set triggers, and a loop lever with spur. It is mounted on a checkered walnut forearm with horn tip and a round knob palm rest and a "perch belly' buttstock with shadow line cheekpiece, checkering, and a Schoyen schuetzen style buttplate. The consignor states the period custom stock and palm rest are in the distinctive artistic style of Henry Berg of Davenport, Iowa. Axel W. Peterson was a Swedish immigrant who arrived around 1877 and first established his gun shop in Denver in 1886. He later partnered with George Schoyen and ran Schoyen's shop as his own from 1916 until his death in 1946. He is said to have died with a partially completed Ballard on his bench. In "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" John T. Dutcher writes, "In its day, the No. 6 was the last word in target rifles." Many Ballard's were customized by shooters and gunsmiths by addition of various sights, false muzzles, and even the then controversial palm rests and scopes. Both Berg and Petereson were talented marksmen in addition to fine gunsmiths and preferred the Ballard action.

Fine as period customized by A. W. Peterson. The barrel has a mostly even brown finish mixed with brown patina. The receiver retains distinct but faded original case colors. The buttplate retains 95% plus of the nickel plating and has some light frosting. The reoiled wood is very fine with crisp checkering and only minor pressure marks. The action functions fine, and the markings and engraving patterns are crisp.