Offered here is an excellent example of a 4th Model Rigby Off-Hand target rifle. The fourth was the final model of the Ballard Rigby rifles manufactured by Marlin. This rifle is one of two engraved Ballards on the dust jacket to John Dutcher's book "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle." The rifle is also pictured and described in Dutcher's book on page 229. The forged casehardened pistol grip action has full coverage elaborate scroll engraving on a dot background incorporating circular outlined game scenes. The left side of the receiver has a running deer scene, and the right side has a bear scene. A similar bear scene engraving is pictured on page 230 of Dutcher's book. The rebated stepped action receiver flats are also engraved. The three Rigby flats on the breech end of the barrel are approximately 2 1/2 inches long and are delicately engraved. The top Rigby flat reads "BALLARD" inside a fancy banner intertwined around an arrow. There is also a decorative ring engraved at the muzzle. The single trigger is match grade and fine-tuned with a crisp let-off. The standard 6 1/2 inch model finger loop lever is casehardened. The front sight is a graduated windgage spirit level model with interchangeable apertures, which was an option on target rifles. The rear sight is a Ballard mid-range Vernier model. There are no provisions (dovetail or holes) for a rear barrel sight. Also, there are no drilled/tapped holes for target scope blocks. The stock and forearm are fancy European walnut with a mellow honey color and beautiful dark wavy grain streaking. The light and dark contrast is exceptional and blends well with the nickeled Swiss style buttplate. The forend has a buffalo horn tip and fine line checkering. The pistol grip has a horn insert on the bottom. The stock pistol grip/wrist has the same style checkering with borders. Formerly from the famous John Amber and John Dutcher collections.

Excellent plus. The barrel retains 99% original blue finish. The action retains 97% vivid original case colors. The engraving is sharp. The buttplate retains 97% plus original nickel showing some high spot wear. The wood is also excellent with some minor pressure dents and scratches and a few blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This condition makes this one of, if not the actual, finest Rigby Ballard in existence. As John Dutcher put it, "It's in near factory new condition." Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.