1,000 .44 rimfire rifles were manufactured by Ball & Williams for an April 5, 1864, contract with the state of Kentucky and another 3,000 in .46 rimfire were manufactured for the state and delivered between July 1864 and March 1865. This example falls in the later range and has a dovetailed blade front sight, 100 yard notch rear sight with folding leaf graduated to 250 and 500 yards, "KENTUCKY" on the top of the frame, matching serial numbers at the breech, the manufacturer and agent markings on the left, Ballard patent marking on the right, extractor beneath the barrel, musket style forearm, and a carbine style stock and buttplate.

Very fine, retaining 80% blue finish with thinning to brown on the remainder. Wood is also very fine with scattered dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.