^Lot 416 Ballards Patent Falling Block Single Shot Carbine by Ball & Willams

Ballard's Patent Falling Block Single Shot Carbine by Ball & Willams, #5056, .44 RF cal., 22'' half-round/half-octagon barrel, blued finish, straight grip hardwood stock and forend, dovetailed blade front sight, with two-position flip-up rear sight. Maker's marks are almost completely illegible, except for the last few letters in each line of the barrel address. Serial number on top of the frame and barrel are clear. Mfg'd circa 1862-1866. Carbine is in good overall condition. Barrel has an overall dark brown patina. Receiver retains approx. 60% thinning and toning blue, with general frosting and rust patina scattered throughout. There is a larger gouge/grind mark to the top edge, approx. 1'' below the hammer. Wood shows age and wear that is consistent with the rest of the rifle, including general dents and scratches. Additionally, there is a 1'' crack below the upper tang and long horizontal crack that runs along the bottom edge and left side of the forend. Action functions well. Rifling is very good and the bore is mostly bright, the exception being the first 3-4'' down from the muzzle, which has some spots of moderate erosion. Est.: $800-$1,200. (Antique)