This rifle is listed by serial number among the sixteen identified brass frame Ballard rifles on page 19 of "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" by Dutcher who estimated over 200 were manufactured. It has a blade front sight, two-leaf rear sight, the Ballard patent marking on the upper right barrel flat, the Ball & Williams marking on the upper barrel flat, the Merwin & Bray marking on the upper left barrel flat, under barrel ejector, matching serial numbers on the barrel and frame, matching partial serial number "86" on the left side of the breechblock, and smooth stock and forearm with brass end cap and buttplate. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Good with traces of original blue finish remaining on the barrel and a dark brown patina and some mild pitting on the balance, attractive aged patina on the brass frame and furniture, some punch marks in the frame, and general moderate overall wear. The wood is also good and has some small flakes and slivers absent from the edges, a few cracks mainly around the ejector, most of the finish remaining, and some mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.