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- Robert E. Petersen Collection
- Ancient Firearms - 1350 to 1700
- Road to American Liberty - 1700 to 1780
- A Prospering New Republic - 1780 to 1860
- A Nation Asunder - 1861 to 1865
- The American West - 1850 to 1900
- Innovation, Oddities and Competition
- Theodore Roosevelt and Elegant Arms - 1880s to 1920s
- World War I and Firearms Innovation
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- Hollywood Guns
Ballard No 5 Pacific Falling Block Single Shot Rifle
Ballard's single-shot rifles were available in several sporting models and in various calibers. The No. 5 Pacific Rifle was made c. 1876-1891. SN 3824
Circa 1885 Ballard (U.S.) Lever-Action Falling-Block Rifle
(single-shot/ breech-loader/ black powder/ cartridge
ammunition)
Ballard was a popular name in guns during the late nineteenth
century. Manufactured by Marlin Firearms Co., of New Haven,
Connecticut, their basic configurations offered such a large
variety of sights, stocks, levers, barrels, ect., that they came
close to being custom" guns. Introduced around 1885, single-shot
Ballards could be used for hunting, target shooting, or
self-protection. Their popularity faded as motor cars enabled
people to travel farther and hunt bigger or faster game. By then,
repeating arms had become more popular. Still, rugged individualism
would remain popular as a role model, and single-shot arms would
maintain a place in U.S. sentiment."
- Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION;
#102
The Ballard single-shot rifle was based on U.S. patent 33,631 that
was granted to C. H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts on
November 5, 1861. Approximately 24,000 sporting and military
rifles, carbines, and shotguns were manufactured between 1862 and
1873; Civil War sales account for half of this total. Although
purchased for military use, the Ballard rifle's real success came
in the hands of sportsmen and competitive shooters. The accuracy of
these arms helped them to maintain their popularity into the 20th
century, and their demise was due not to any shortcoming; rather,
the rise in popularity of repeating rifles and modern high power
ammunition spelled the end for Ballard production.
Five different New England companies produced various Ballard
designs, with the New York firm of Merwin & Bray acting as
sales agents throughout Ballard's brief history. Ballard arms were
originally designed for use with rimfire cartridges, but an
auxiliary device was patented by Joseph Merwin and Edward P. Bray
in 1864 to enable these rifles to be used with percussion primers
and combustible cartridges or loose powder and ball. Later versions
were produced for use with centerfire ammunition.
Initial examples were produced between 1862 and 1865 by the
Worcester firm of Ball and Williams. Approximately 16,000 rifles
and carbines were produced during these years. By the midpoint of
the war, however, Ball and Williams was unable to keep up with the
demand for their product, and Merwin & Bray contracted with the
Bridgeport, Conecticut firm of Dwight, Chapin & Co. to provide
additional manufacturing facilities for Ballard rifles and
carbines. Unable to produce arms that passed government inspection,
the firm was forced to forfeit the contract and file for
bankruptcy. Ball and Williams took over the remainder of the
contract. Undoubtedly, Ballard hoped to achieve some measure of
success in government sales, but his design failed to gain
widespread military acceptance.
Kentucky was the largest single purchaser of Ballard rifles, and
acquistions by the Federal government were limited to approximately
1000 carbines and 35 rifles. Ballard production continued through
the end of the war, when Ball and Williams became R. Ball & Co.
Ballard rifles took part in Army trials in 1866, but with the
exception of the Army's overland expedition to the Pacific, they
were not used as a military arm in the post-war period. After
manufacturing an additional 2,000 arms, the company was forced to
cease operations in 1866 due to declining sales and the completion
of government contracts. All assets and machinery were purchased by
Edward P. Bray and by the Merrimack Arms and Manufacturing Co. of
Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Production continued on a limited basis under the Merrimack banner
until 1869, when Brown Manufacturing Co., also of Newburyport, took
over production. In the 1870s, C. H. Ballard also designed and
produced a single-shot derringer. These .41 caliber rimfire pistols
were manufactured in Worcester and featured walnut grips, a bird's
head butt, and a brass frame with silver plating. Production was
short-lived, however, and only a few thousand examples found their
way to the marketplace.
Economic depression came to the United States in 1873, and
diminishing sales forced Brown Manufacturing into bankruptcy. All
patent rights, equipment, parts inventories, and properties were
purchased by New York arms dealers Schoverling and Daly, who
handled sales and distribution of Ballard rifles after reaching an
agreement with John Marlin to continue production. This partnership
would prove to be highly successful for all parties involved.
In 1881, the Marlin Firearms Company was incorporated, and
production of Ballard rifles continuing under the Marlin banner
until they were eventually discontinued circa 1891 due to the
rising popularity of repeating rifles. Ballard rifles enjoyed great
popularity during the heyday of the Schuetzen rifle. According to
one expert, the Ballard possessed one of the fastest hammer
movements ever invented, and these rifles earned a solid reputation
for accuracy. When Brown Manufacturing went out of business, many
remaining Ballard rifles were purchased by the Boston firm of
Williams Read & Sons, who sporterized them for sales on the
commercial market.
In addition, many Ballard were either custom-built models or were
custom assembled using standardized parts, and features such as
adjustable double-set triggers, custom sights, engravings, and
high-grade woods were frequently encountered. Many barrel and
stockmakers practiced their craft by marrying their products to
Ballard actions. Perhaps the most famous of these was Harry M.
Pope, who became legendary among competitive shooters for the
quality and accuracy of his hand-rifled barrels. When properly
handled, Pope guaranteed that these guns would deliver all of their
shots into a 2 ?-inch circle at 200 yards.
Ballards were also well-received by competitors in Germany, Great
Britain, and France. Although the days of the Scheutzenfest are
long past, Ballard products continue to enjoy favor among marksmen.
Some are still found in competition today, and modern re-creations
of these famous arms are also available. These rifles are also
popular outside shooting circles. Ballard and Marlin-Ballard rifles
were and are well-known for their accuracy and workmanship, and
fancy-grade long-range rifles are eagerly sought after by modern
collectors.