8/13/2019 Marlin Ballard Number 5 Pacific Rifle
1/14
Marlin Ballard Number 5 Pacific Rifle
Here is a gun we don't come across very often in the
Southeastern US. Its a Number FiveBallard also known as the
"Pacific Rifle" with a heavy frame and 32" octagon barrel
in Caliber 40-85 aka .40-85 Everlasting. There are lots of
nicknames for guns built during the19th century but the "Pacific
Rifle" has to be one of my favorite. Judging from the size of
thechamber, the 40-85 Everlasting black powder cartridge must have
been every bit of 4" long andsuitable for bison and/or any other
large North American game. This thing looks like it could have
killed from both ends. The No. 5 Pacific was manufactured from
1876-1891. It features awooden cleaning rod, closed loop lever, and
double set triggers. The barrel measures 1 1/8" thatslightly tapers
down to 1" at the muzzle. Brophy's book on Marlins states the 32"
Pacific rifle weighsapprox. 11 1/2 lbs and sold for a price of
$32.00 which was a lot of money back in the 1880's...evenmore than
a nice Winchester. In today's money, a current production Pacific
starts at $3350. If youhad a little more money with some muscle to
match, Marlin also made the 5 1/2 Montana rifleweighing in at a
hernia-ripping 14 lbs for $34.00. As you can guess, this rifle is
quite heavy for .40
Caliber and 11 1/2 lbs is not something a 19th century hunter
would have run through the woodswith. Original Marlin Ballard
sights include the long style Ballard semi-buckhorn rear and
RockyMountain front with German silver blade. The original factory
tapped holes in the upper tang forattaching a folding ladder tang
sight are missing their little plug screws...otherwise, the rifle
iscomplete. The top of the barrel is marked in small simple font
"40-85".
Left side of the frame is marked:MARLIN FIREARMS CO. NEW HAVEN
CT. U.S.ABALLARD'S PATENT NOV. 5 1861
Overall condition grades to NRA Antique Good+ to VG- with the
metal turned to a heavy brown patinathat's smooth with no pitting.
When we found this rifle, it looked like it hadn't been touched in
100years and needed a little TLC. We got it presentable but it
could use a good careful cleaning to getthe dirt, closet rust,
crud, and dried grease out of the corners and the markings. All
screws are goodand serviceable. The action works and most
importantly, the set triggers still work beautifully. Thebore is in
surprisingly nice shape with strong lands and grooves...looks dirty
but not dark and verywell may clean to excellent. No rings or
bulges. This gun is remarkably solid and only 3 minor areasthat
needed attending. One was a missing rod which we replaced with a
hickory rod that's been agedto match the appearance of the gun.
Another issue were the thin rod thimbles on such a massivebarrel
wear pretty beat so we contacted the Ballard Rifle Co. and
purchased new ones that are exactto the originals. They have been
aged to match the rifle and you would never guess they're
notoriginal to the gun. However, we will be happy to supply the
worn-out originals with the gun upon
request. The final area that needed some work was the thin
forend had a thin piece broken off thetop edge near the barrel.
Fortunately, the original owner carefully tacked it back on with
brass pinsand we were able to properly mend this and you would
never know there was ever a repair here.
The forend is in good condition with some dings and bruises
you'd expect to find on a rifle with such aheavy barrel. Stock is
in VG shape and solid. We're also pleased to report that this gun
is well-numbered internally and that all numbers that we found i.e.
barrel, forend, stock, frame, etc. werematching. Quite amazingly,
we were surprised to find that Ballard still makes all the parts
for this rifleat its factory in Cody, WY. A nice solid example of
scarce single shot rifle that's still quite affordablecompared to a
Sharps and the prices some others bring on the current market.
