Antique Marlin Ballard Schuetzen Style Target Rifle 32-40 Win Stevens Barrel

Serial #26513, .32-40 Win, 32 inch part octagon / part round heavy barrel manufactured by J. Stevens A. & T. Co. and numbered to the gun with an excellent bore.  This is a Marlin Ballard Schuetzen style rifle that features double set triggers, Vernier rear peep and hooded front target sights and a high comb stock with Swiss style steel butt plate manufactured circa 1881 to 1891.  The barrel was a later added feature though it looks to have been there for a very long time, not uncommon for these Ballard actions, and bears the two line address “J. Stevens A. & T. CO. / Chicopee Falls, Mass. U.S.A. PAT. APR.17.94”.  It shows about 75-80% blue with moderate freckling overall and some light pitting along the side barrel facet where it meets the forearm.  The frame is mostly pewter-gray to plum-brown marked “MARLIN ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A. / BALLARD'S PATENT NOV 5. 1861”.  The checkered forearm remains solid with the stock showing two shallow stable cracks running with the grain at the wrist but is otherwise solid.  The action functions properly with a very light trigger pull when set.  Antique.