Original Ballard Dual-Ignition Rifle by Merrimack Arms & Mfg. Co.

Serial #19816, .38 RF, 26" heavy octagon barrel with an excellent, bright bore.  This is a handsome rifle, with matching numbers on the frame and barrel, that retains 80-85% of the original blue on the barrel, with some thin areas of freckling along the flats, as well as mild silvering at the muzzle and along the edges of the facets.  The "MERRIMACK ARMS & MFG. Co. / NEWBURYPORT MASS." marked frame has a mostly pale gray patina with some plum-brown freckling present in spots, as well as muted color case-hardening just visible throughout.  Further muted case-hardening is present on the exposed breechblock and hammer, with fairly bright colors still present on the protected portions of the block.  The smooth walnut forend and straight-wrist buttstock have beautifully figured wood, with  lovely feathered grain present throughout.  Numerous minor handling marks and small blemishes are scattered about the original varnish, but they detract little from the appearance of the wood.  The rifle, in common with practically all Merrimack Arms-made Ballards, is outfitted with a dual-ignition breechblock that allows for the use of fixed rimfire ammunition, or (by flipping the striker nose inward) a reloaded cartridge utilizing a separate percussion cap for ignition.  Case extraction was performed by the manual extractor, which is still fully functional on this example.  The rifle is equipped with a Beach front sight, a flip-up rear barrel sight (the long-range ladder has broken off), and a flip-up tang sight on the wrist.  This is a splendid example of a desirable Ballard rifle variant, and is in fine-near excellent condition overall. It would make a great addition to any collection.  Antique