Just got a Ballard

[Insectguy]

Just got a Ballard forum an acquaintance, and was trying to find a little info. I read through many of the posts here, and have been somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge on Ballards. Anyway, here are some specifics:
Caliber is 32 long
All serial numbers match, 24167
Tang sight, octagonal barrel
Pictures as follows:
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/in ... er=noflash
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/in ... er=noflash
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/in ... er=noflash

Also, the firing pin is set up as a rim fire, but it cannot be turned around for center fire, unless I'm missing something:


Any thoughts?

[Insectguy]

Sorry-- here's the link to the firing pin:
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/in ... er=noflash

[Regnier (gunrunner)]

Insectguy;

From the photographs, your Ballard Number 2 Sporting Rifle would have been made sometime between 1881 and 1891. It appears to be a typical Number 2 Sporting Rifle. The tang mounted peep sight is a good one, it is a Marlin Gallery Peep Sight and is very desirable to collectors.
The firing pin appears to either be broken or a homemade replacement as the shape for the reversible firing pin is not correct. You need to find a copy of John Dutcher's extraordinary book, BALLARD: The Great American Single Shot Rifle. On page 296, you will find a photograph of the correct shape for the reversible firing pin.
There are very little records for the Ballard rifles, and what do exist are intermixed with the Marlin Model 1881 lever action repeating rifle. The Ballard serial numbers that are listed in the records are reproduceded in both Brophy's Marlin book and Dutcher's Ballard book. Only one appears to be a Number 2 Sporting Rifle and it was shipped in 1903. (a gun that sat in the warehouse a long time or was returned for repairs and then listed in the records for some reason as that serial number is not amoung the other Ballard rifles that are listed!)
I hope this helps.

[Insectguy]

That's great information! As a follow up, is there a supply for firing pins which may work? (I know-- long shot).

I've been told the value of the rifle is about $500-- sound accurate? Although I have no intention of selling it, I would like to try to be able to shoot it (which is why I would like to find a center fire firing pin). I've read from other sources the 32 S&W would be a good cartridge to start with, and load custom with the brass. The more I find out about this rifle the better I'm liking it.

Thanks again for the great information!

[marlinman93]

The original firing pin had a "dogbone" shape to it, so it could be flipped upside down to strike the rim or the center of the cartridge. Not sure if anyone carries the repros for the #2, but if you would like to contact me I can pull one from one off my #2's and trace it for you. They are easy to make once you have a pattern and a piece of tool steel plate the correct thickness. I heat treat the ends and dip them in Casenite to harden them so they wont peen over when fired.-Vall
marlinguy@juno.com