This carbine is among the finest, if it is not the finest, examples of a U.S. Contract Civil War Ballard carbine. Only 1,500 of these carbines were manufactured for the U.S. Government and delivered in two shipments in 1864 prior to Ball & Williams switching to Kentucky contracts due to higher premiums. Their original U.S. contract called for 5,000 carbines. These carbines helped solidify the reputation of Ballards as incredibly reliable and accurate weapons. They were incredibly popular after the war as hunting and target guns and earned the reputation of being some of the finest single shot rifles ever manufactured in America. This outstanding example has the correct "MM" inspection marks stamped on the left side of the barrel, frame, and breechblock, and has a the correct "MM" script cartouche on the left side of the buttstock. It falls in the correct second shipment serial number range (9800-10500). The matching full serial number is marked on the top of the barrel and frame, and the partial serial number "928" is on the left side of the breechblock above the inspection mark. It has the standard blade front sight and folding rear sight graduated for 100, 250, and 500 yards. The underside of the barrel has the hand operated extractor. The left side of the action has "BALL & WILLIAMS/Worcester Mass." over "MERWIN & BRAY. AGT'S/NEW YORK." The right side of the action has "BALLARD'S PATENT/NOV. 5. 1861." The front portion of the Ball & Williams marking on the left and the Ballard marking on the right are light. Sling swivels are fitted on the barrel band and bottom of the butt. There is also a "862" marked brass inventory tag affixed behind the lower tang, on the belly of the buttstock, likely used as an inventory number by a collector or museum.

Excellent. The barrel and action retain 95% plus of the original blue finish which has taken on a plum brown tone. The buttplate retains strong original blue finish with a plum brown cast that matches the action and barrel and has some bright edge wear. There are some bright indented heavy scratch marks present on the right side of the action and some slight flaking on top. The hammer retains virtually all of the original case colors. 85% plus of the high polish blue remains on the breechblock which has some bright cycling wear, and the other components have strong remnants of the original bright blue. There are some limited patches of light spotting and some minor scratches scattered throughout. The wood is very good to near excellent and has some minor dings and marks from handling and storage and a small crack on the left side next to the extractor. The cartouche is extremely crisp, and the other markings are all clear. The action functions perfectly. This is a rare opportunity to own one of the best made Civil War carbines in absolutely outstanding condition.