Ball & Williams manufactured 1,000 of these military rifles in .44 rimfire for an April 5, 1864 contract for the state of Kentucky, with another 3,000 manufactured in .46 rimfire delivered between July 1864 and March 1865. This example falls in the later .46 rimfire range and has a blade front sight, 100 yard notch rear sight with folding leaf graduated to 250 and 500 yards, "KENTUCKY" marked off center on the top of the frame, leaving the tops of some of the letters faint. Matching serial numbers on the barrel and receiver 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. Includes leather sling and wood tampion. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Fine, retains 50% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a mixture of brown and grey patina and a few scattered patches of light oxidation or pitting. The wood is very good with some scattered light dings, scratches, and chips. The sling is good with some cracking. Mechanically excellent.