This is an exceptional example of a first model 6 1/2 Rigby Off-Hand rifle. The rifle has a sporting rear barrel sight and spirit level graduated windgage front sight. There is a decorative band of engraving at the muzzle and three engraved Rigby flats on the breech end of the barrel extending approximately 2 1/2 inch long. The top Rigby flat has engraved scrollwork entwined with an arrow. The remaining flats are lightly engraved. The forged pistol grip action has the two-line "J.M" Marlin New Haven address/Ballard's 1861 patent marking on the left side. The rebated stepped action flats are engraved and faceted. The front rebated edge is rounded. The action has deeply cut scroll engraving on a punch dot background with border line engraving. The forward portion on each side shows a fine running dear field scene engraving which is not as deeply cut as the scrollwork, a high quality engraving showing the work of a period master engraver. The action has a small curved spur hammer, ring finger lever, and single trigger. The mid-range Vernier peep sight is the early type with the center located base. The extra fancy European walnut stock and forearm have a mellow honey color with highly attractive dark grain streaking, "almost black veins running through it" as Ballard expert and author John Dutcher put it. The straight grip buttstock on this pistol grip action has a rounded contour that becomes flat at the top of the heavy nickeled plated Swiss buttplate. The cheekpiece stock is checkered with borders, and the forearm Schnabel tip is buffalo horn and has matching checkering. An outstanding first Model 6 1/2 Rigby Off-Hand target rifle that is pictured and described in John Dutcher's book "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" on pages 195, 196 and 197. Formerly in the John Dutcher Collection.

Excellent with 99% blue on the barrel, 85% plus original case color on the action, and some thinning on the lever. Excellent finish on the stock and forearm with a few slight handling marks, sharp checkering, and some nickel plating wear on the Swiss buttplate prongs. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.