Marlin Ballard

4910 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Hornhead, Feb 27, 2011

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · Feb 17, 2011

i have a Marlin Ballard heading my way, with a lyman RTB scope and micrometer target sights.
sights aren't original for sure.

i probably paid too much for it but i can't resist old rifles... particularily in 22LR.

serial number is in the 25XXX

any idea as to date of mftr?

cheers
hornhead

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 18, 2011

trying to post some pics here.

reading this forum it would appear there are no listings of serial numbers.

thought this might help.

cheers

See less See more

3

marlinman93

· #3 · Feb 18, 2011

Since it has no screw retaining the firing pin, then I assume it's a #3 in .22 RF. They're neat gunbs, and most of the last Ballards built were #3's. All Ballard production was pretty much over by 1890, but a few were assembled into 1891 from parts found in the factory. Highest serial numbers found are around 36,000 if I remember correctly. I would guess your ser. # would be late 1880's, but couldn't get much closer since there are no Ballard records.

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 18, 2011

thx mm93

kinda what i gathered from what little info there is.
i am hoping it's a shooter cuz someone certainly took some pains to make it so. that's kinda why i bought it. those lyman sights and scopes were pretty much state of the art in their day.

someone liked it once, so now it's my turn.

i was once told by a wise man that you never own stuff like this, it's just your turn to look after it.
come to think of it ... i said that! ;D

Parley Baer

· #5 · Feb 18, 2011

"it's just your turn to look after it"

Yes, we are just caretakers.

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 20, 2011

Re: Marlin Ballard queston for MM93

the seller wasn't sure if it was 22LR, but i have a feeling it might be 22 long as 22 LR came out towards the end of the ballards.

as the cases are the same length will i be able to shoot 22LR out of this rifle? my understanding the difference is only the weight of the bullet.

i would just be shooting target ammo, no hyper stuff out of it.

cheers

Mike Leck

· #7 · Feb 20, 2011

A really handsome rig. Enjoy!

(Is that a Vaver receiver sight?)

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 20, 2011

i guess i'll know what sight it is in a week. he didn't really say.

but i have a feeling it's a lyman. looks like one i found in an old gun digest. it'll be good enuff for these old eyes.

i hope that old scope works!

i have been told it's an old lyman too.

loggah

· #9 · Feb 20, 2011

Hornhead, thats a neat looking little Ballard ,you will have a lot of fun with it , and it wont cost a fortune to shoot it. Don

marlinman93

· #10 · Feb 21, 2011

I would guess that sight is an old Redfield International Target sight. The adjusting knobs look like Redfield.

jdad

· #11 · Feb 21, 2011

The sight looks like a Lyman 524.

marlinman93

· #12 · Feb 21, 2011

jdad said:
The sight looks like a Lyman 524.

Yes, I stand corrected! I think you're right about it being the 524!

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 25, 2011

SLEEVED?

my marlin ballard arrived today.

it does chamber 22LR which is a good thing.

the barrel was sleeved at sometime in it's life. is this common?
the serial numbers on the action, barrel & forestock match.

the barrel looks pretty pristine really , no leading or pitting .

yes the target sight is a lyman as is the scope (438 field). the scope is a hoot... definitely pre-nitrogen filled. ;D
the knobs turn but whether they actually adjust anything remains to be seen. i think it is a 2X. probably a marvel in optics in its day.

i was tempted to replace the front sight with a lyman target sight, but i'll see how it shoots first. it's probably more trouble than it's worth , i doubt this will be a "tack driver"... but it'll be a fun gun.

maybe i'll post some targets if it shoots ok. no reason it shouldn't be just fine.

See less See more

RevDerb

· #14 · Feb 25, 2011

What a neat gun. Thanks for sharing it.

marlinman93

· #15 · Feb 26, 2011

Not all that uncommon to find a old #3 relined, as they shot a lot of corrosive ammo and it took it's toll. If the reline was done nicely, it may surprise you how well it shoots! I think I'd leave the sights, since I'd rather have them than the filler screws to blank off the holes. The 438 is a fantastic scope! I'd bet it will adjust just fine if the knobs turn easily. If they don't, then give them a shot of lt. wt. oil and they should work freely.

Hornhead

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 27, 2011

the scope adjusted to zero so i assume it is usable. i tried oiling the turrets as suggested, helped a bit but i still needed a screw driver to turn the turrets. the good news is it does adjust and once centred i don't think it will ever slip out of adjustment.

looking forward to playing with it monday night with the target club.

the barrel sleeve doesn't worry me really. i am assuming whoever had it sleeved also had the target sight & scope put on it ... probably in the 1930s.

my enfield #7 is sleeved by parker hale and it's plenty accurate.

thx for all the info guys.

appreciate it.
cheers

See less See more

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.