Lot 3343: Marlin Ballard No. 2 Sporting Rifle

Manufactured in 1876 to 1891. This exact rifle is pictured and identified in John Dutcher's "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" on page 113 and was formerly part John Dutcher's collection. Dutcher notes the rifle was "made for the English trade." London proofs are stamped on the left side of the barrel, breech block and receiver. The receiver is also marked with the three-line Marlin address/patent dates marking. The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, a three leaf rear sight and a folding tang peep sight. According to Dutcher, "The English had a decided preference for this style of [tang] sight rather than the Ballard-made ladder type peep sights." Note that the tang sight has since been changed out from when the photograph was taken for Dutcher's book. The straight grip stock is fitted with a factory hard rubber shotgun style buttplate. Provenance: The Ed Kennedy Collection; The John Dutcher Collection; The Milan J. Turk Collection

Fine. The barrel retains 40% original blue finish with the balance a once cleaned, spotted smooth brown patina. The action retains 75% original case colors with an applied protective coating. The wood is very good with a few faint hairline cracks on the wrist and right side of the buttstock and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.