Approximately 15,600 of these carbines were manufactured by Ball & Williams during the Civil War. They were based on patents by Charles H. Ballard of Massachusetts. The basic design was ultimately manufactured by several firms and earned much of its fame as a sporting arm after Marlin began manufacturing Ballards in the mid-1870s; however, the majority of the carbines manufactured in the 1860s were used to fill Civil War military orders. Some historians and collectors consider the Ballard to have been the most advanced weapon of the conflict owing to is reliable and durable design and the fact that it was designed for metallic cartridges (some examples used Merwin & Bray's dual ignition system). This particular carbine has small government inspection markings in addition to the matching serial numbers and other standard Ball & Williams, Merwin & Bray, and Ballard markings. It has blade front and two leaf rear sights and an external, manually operated extractor.

Very good plus. There is strong original blue finish in the protected area under the forearm, but the visible surfaces display a mix of gray and brown patina and some light pitting and oxidation. The wood is also very good with lightly visible cartouche and exhibits a few nicks and scratches. The action functions fine, and the markings are mostly crisp.