Page 189 - Auction84-Book3

187
LOT 3340
Scarce Factory Panel Scene Engraved Marlin Ballard No. 6 1/2 Rigby Off-Hand Rifle - Serial no. 14709, 38-55 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured from 1880 to 1882. The receiver is decorated with factory engraved scrollwork on a stippled background, heart borders and game scenes in circular panels. The game scene on the left side is an elk, and the game scene on the right side is a buck. Scrolls and heart borders decorated the flats of the chamber. Additional scrollwork appears on the barrel flats at the breech. The left side of the receiver has the two-line Marlin address/Ballard patent marking. The rifle is fitted with a windgauge front sight and a mid-range Vernier tang sight. The highly figured select walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered. The buttstock has a cheek piece and nickel plated Swiss buttplate. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains 80% original blue finish with some scattered light
patches of pitting visible towards the muzzle. The receiver retains 50% plus original case colors. The engraving is crisp. The wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches and overall crisp checkering with some wear to the forearm. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500