This rifle is featured on page 54 of "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" by Dutcher where it is noted as a "Short heavy barreled Merrimack Ballard chambered for the .46 Long Rimfire/percussion... This excellent Ballard is one of the last made using the old style breechblock, serial number 19615." These were manufactured in limited numbers (estimated 2,200) c. 1867-1869 by Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Co. in Newburyport, Mass. It has a blade front sight in a dovetailed steel base, two-leaf rear sight, "No 46." and the serial number on top at the breech, under-barrel ejector, the Merrimack and Ballard markings on the left side of the frame, smooth stock and forearm, and pewter forend cap. Provenance: Ed Kennedy, John Dutcher, Stephen Gordon, and The Milan J. Turk Collection

Very good with a blend of fading original blue finish and smooth gray and brown patina on the barrel, 30% subtle original case colors on most of the frame along with smooth aged patina, brighter case colors in the protected areas, and generally light age and storage related wear overall. The forearm is fine and has much of the original finish, minor dings, a couple of scrapes on the left, a very slight crack on the rear on the right, and some edge wear. The buttstock is fine and displays more of golden color along with mild dings and scratches, some cracks on top at the junction with the frame, and mild wear.