This is one of approximately 1,000 carbines assembled for Merwin & Bray by Ball & Williams following the bankruptcy of Dwight, Chapin & Co. and sold to the State of Kentucky. It has a blade front sight, two-leaf rear sight, non-matching two-piece breechblock (pretty common), round frame with the Ballard patent marking on the right and Merwin & Bray marking on the left, and "1457" marked on the right side of the forearm and top of the comb. The later are the inventory numbers from the famous U.S. Cartridge Company Collection, and this carbine is featured in the collection catalog as well as on page 32 of "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" by Dutcher who called out this carbine as "One of the finest condition and well documented Dwight, Chapin carbines, serial number 477." Provenance: U.S. Cartridge Company, Ed Kennedy, Ralph Arnold, Stephen Gordon, and The Milan J. Turk Collection

Exceptionally fine with 75% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 75% original blue finish on the frame turning to a smooth plum brown tone, some minor oxidation/pitting at the breech, and generally only minor age and storage related wear. The wood is very fine and has a smooth oiled finish and several mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. If you want to fill this slot in your collection, here it is!