Page 187 - Auction84-Book3

Collector’s Fact
According to author John Dutcher, this rare rifle is the lowest recorded serial number Extra Grade Marlin Ballard
known.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK BALLARD: THE GREAT AMERICAN SINGLE SHOT RIFLE BY DUTCHER
LOT 3337
Documented, Rare Factory Engraved Marlin Ballard Creedmoor No. 7 A-1 Extra Long Range Single Shot Rifle - Serial no. 2194, 44-100 cal., 34 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock.
This model was the fanciest deluxe grade of the Marlin Ballard rifle line and only a small number
are believed to have been manufactured, circa 1878 to 1887. These rifles were generally made to the
customer’s specifications and surviving examples are encountered with numerous variations. “Every part made
with the greatest care and finished in the highest possible style,” read a period advertisement. Engravings alone could set a customer
back as much as $50 extra. The receiver has highly attractive hand engraved factory scrollwork along with “Ballard A1” on the left side and
“Long Range” on the right side. Scrollwork extends to the raised barrel ribs located at the breech, and an engraved band decorates the
barrel at the muzzle. The left side of the frame has the two-line Marlin New Haven address/Ballard patent marking. The barrel is numbered
to the gun. Fitted with a windage adjustable front sight with spirit level and long range Vernier tang peep sight. The checkered forearm and
pistol grip stock are highly figured select walnut. The forearm has a horn cap. The buttstock has the factory sight mounting base at the heel
of the checkered hard rubber buttplate. This rifle is pictured and identified in John Dutcher’s “Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle” on
page 253, and according to Dutcher, this is the lowest recorded serial numbered Extra Grade rifle known.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 60% original blue finish fading to an attractive plum along with some pitting under the forearm. The receiver retains patterns of silvered out original case colors, otherwise faded to gray. The engraving is crisp. The wood is also fine with some minor dings and scratches and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive Marlin Ballard No. 7 A-1 Extra Long Range Rifle documented in the definitive book on the subject that will be a welcomed addition to any single shot rifle collection.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 25,000
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