This Marlin Ballard rifle is pictured and identified in John Dutcher's "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" on page 111 as the "third and final style No. 2 Ballard Sporting Rifle." The rifle has a German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, "38 LONG" marked on the barrel at the breech, two-line Marlin address/Ballard patent marking on the left side of the receiver, and barrel and forearm numbered to gun. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Fine. The barrel retains 60% original blue finish with smooth crazed, chemical spotted brown patina on the balance. 70% original case colors remain on the receiver with an applied protective coating. The wood is very fine with a couple hairline cracks at the buttplate and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.