Marlin / Ballard No. 2 Sporting Rifle

There are few things that fascinate me more that the proper restoration of
an antique be it a classic car, old gun, piece of Early American Furniture,
or what have you.




In this case the object of interest was a Marlin manufactured Ballard No. 2
Sporting Rifle from the 1870s.  I ripped this rifle from the clutches of
Col. Brett Boyd, proprietor of the SINGLE SHOT EXCHANGE magazine.  Nice
rifle it was, but I wanted a little more.

Col. Boyd earlier had the shot out .32 Long bore relined to .22 Long rifle
by Burgins Gun Shop.  Burgins worked in such a way that you could look
directly at the muzzle and find no evidence of a liner.  The only give away
was a perfect bore in an old rifle!

After I received it I turned the rifle over to Dallas gunsmith Jim Stacy.
Jim was a long time and the last gunsmith at Jackson Arms Antique Guns.
That shop closed in 1993 after a run of almost half a century.  I have been
in mourning ever since the day Jackson Arms shut its doors.  

Jim has worked on his own since then.  He built an Ohio Vincent .40 cal.
muzzle loading target rifle for me a while back.  It has a period correct
cantilever rear and globe with post and pinhead front sight on it.  You know
that old joke about the hill billy looking down the sights of his longrifle
and saying "that fly'll never be a father".  The same could be true of Jim's
Vincent replica if it had a young sharp eyed shooter.

After monkeying around with the Ballard for three years Jim turned out a
nice restoration.  The forend had turned black due to handling, and the butt
stock was light.  He made them the same color.  The corners of the barrel
flats had a number of little dents.  Jim took the dents out.  He restored
all the screw heads, and did an action job on the rifle.  Jim did a list of
other things, including touch up bluing, which I'm too fuzzy headed to
remember.

Last but not least he added a Leatherwood Hi Lux William Malcolm 6X, 3/4"
diameter, 18" long scope with outside adjustments.  Jim customized a set of
bases for the scope.

I am so pleased with the results I'm bursting with joy.  I hope the
photographs do some justice to Jim Stacy's work.  If the 100 degree Dallas
weather will calm down a bit, the Marlin Ballard will go to the range with
me.

Keep your Powder Dry,

Chris Barker 

Best List of Firearms Owners Manual Ever

Stephen Ricciardelli

There is a guy from Saint Marie, Montana named Stephen Ricciardelli. He has compiled enormous amounts of information about firearms. The main purpose for writing this blog is to make sure I do not lose his website address. My brother Chris sent me the link to his Firearms Owners Manual Page . I spent some time exploring his site. His main Firearms Page has great links. If you visit that page be sure to scroll down and see them. He also has a Firearms Catalog Page. You will also find a Reloading Page. On the Reloading Page you have to click on the target links to find his charts.

Take sometime and visit his site. I didn't see advertising even though there are links to some of my favorite manufacturers. It is not a slick site but is loaded with useful information, tables and charts. He does accept donations which I would encourage. Earmark this Blog page to keep up with this site.

Keep your powder dry.

Gary Barker

My 35 Remington

Several years ago my Brother blessed me with a Marlin Lever Action in 35 Remington. Over the years we have gifted each other firearms. I believe he would admit regretting every firearm that he or I have ever parted with.

For several decades we had the traveling 45-70. Also a Marlin. Sweet gun. I miss it. It was originally a wedding gift from his first bride. The rifle was great but the wife didn't work out. When a new bride came into the picture the traveling 45-70 moved to my house. I enjoyed that weapon. It was its own fireworks show if fired at dusk. After a while wife #2 was gone. Wife # 1 starting coming around again and the prize quickly changed homes again. The renewal failed but a new lady eventually came into the picture. The wedding gift again had to go. Unfortunately it was sold to an outsider. I still miss that weapon. Spouses come and go but a rifle is eternal.

After an inquiry about the 45-70 and an admission of it's sale a beautiful Marlin in 35 Remington arrived. It lived unattended in the back of a gun locker for several years. A new hunting club's terrain and vegetation created a need for a brush gun suitable for deer and black bear. It shoots fairly flat out to about 150 yards and its 200 grain bullet will maintain its course through light brush. After dusting it off and sighting it in, it produce a tight group. Most of our shooting is fairly short range and I choose to sight it in at only 50 yards. A shot group within a one inch diameter was produced. See the picture below. Most would believe without seeing but my friends would need proof.

It turns out it is a shooter. I love that gun and my brother too.

Keep your powder dry,

Gary Barker