Manufactured 1881-1891. Special order rifles with these features were ordered by the J.P. Lower firm of Denver and advertised in their 1886 catalogues as "...special .38-55 and .40-63 Ballard rifles, 28 inch barrel, half octagon, 9 to 9 1/2 lbs., pistol grip stocks and rubber butt plates, finely finished; former price $40 each, which we will sell at $25." This rifle shares those features and is fitted with a combination front sight, rear dovetail filler, and tang mounted peep sight. These rifles are described and a very similar example, only 24 serial numbers away, is pictured on p. 281 in "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" by John Dutcher.

Very good, retains 20% original blue finish and patterns of original case colors, both thinning to a smooth grey patina and a series of minor dings/tool marks on the left of the breech block. The wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent.