Ball & Williams were originally contracted to manufacture 5,000 of these carbines in January 1864 but ultimately only delivered 1,500 before abandoning the contract in favor of better profits received from contracts for the Kentucky cavalry. Of the 1,500 delivered to the federal government, 1,200 were issued to the Vermont militia after the St. Albans raid, the northernmost action of the war. This example has a blade front sight, standard notch and folding leaf rear sight, the Ballard patent on the right side of the frame, Ball & Williams and Merwin & Bray markings on the left side of the frame, "MM" stamped vertically on the left side, and an "MM" cartouche on the left side of the stock.

Very good, retaining strong traces of original blue finish with a smooth brown patina visible on the remainder. The frame has an attractive smooth brown patina. Wood is good with dings and scratches, a small crack on the left side of the forend, a crack on the stock from the upper tang across the left side of the comb, and a filler plug on the left side of the stock. Mechanically fine.