Picked up an 1882 Ballard today!

[rbertalotto]

Pictures of the Ballard I picked up today....

http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/things-that-go-bang/1892-ballard/

Originally purchased by Civil War General Stephen Weld.....Tuesday Welds Grandfather and Gov Bill Welds cousin twice removed!

http://www.geni.com/people/Brevet-Brig-General-Stephen-Minot-Weld-Jr-USA/6000000010771240448

Talk about Yankee Blue Bloods!

[dusty texian]

Wow great find ! That will be a very good piece to get shooting. ,,,,,Dusty.

[Mean Bob Mean]

So cool!

[Advertising]

[Blair]

Roy,

What is the cal. cartridge? and the model type?
These are highly sought after for long range shooting.
My best,
Blair

[rbertalotto]

We are still trying to determine model type. Some are saying a #8 and some a #9.

Caliber is 38-55

Can't wait to have time and weather to take it to the range.

[Blair]

Roy,

38-55 is a Winchester round.
This is not to say that Ballard did not change from their 38-50 that was exceptionally popular before the 38-55 was introduced by Winchester.
Both are excellent rounds out to about 300 yards for knocking down steel targets. Getting game, can be at a some what greater distance. (if you can see it)

[rbertalotto]

Hi Blair,

Understood about 38-55 being Winchester.

The barrel is stamped 38-55 on the top. Barely able to see it. Very light stamping.

[rbertalotto]

Did a bit of research on the 38-55. Here is something I found on Wikipedia:

The .38-55 Winchester cartridge (actually .3775 caliber) was introduced in 1876 by Ballard. It was used by Marlin Firearms from 1875 on for various single-shot target rifles and their 1893 lever action rifle. It was later offered by Winchester in its Model 1894. Winchester continued to use the round in various rifles until about 1940,

I did not know that!

[Silver Creek Slim]

Very nice, pard.

Slim

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

IIR, the Ballard 38-50 was an "everlasting" case.  The 38-55 Ballard evolved from it with a more modern drawn case.

COTW,3d Ed. says The external dimensions were the same, except for 1/10th in.* greater length. Marlin took over Ballard in 1881, the 38-50 dates from 1876 but was a handloading only proposition. The change to the 38-55 occurred in 1884 with the Union Hill No. 8 & 9.

*. In the dimension chart Frank Barnes shows 2.00 for the 38-50 and 2.1295 for the 38-55.

[rbertalotto]

Strange, My Ballard in 38-55 was purchased in 1882.......

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Strange, My Ballard in 38-55 was purchased in 1882.......

Not so strange as I am quoting a SECONDARY source.  Either COTW is wrong, or there is an exception.

[rbertalotto]

Just found this old post on the rifle I recently reconditioned. A few corrections:

It has been determined this rifle is a #8. The #8 had double set triggers and the #9 had only one trigger.

This rifle was bought in 1884, not 1882 as I thought. This was explained to me by a Ballard collector.

www.rvbprecision.com