CIVIL WAR question..Ballard .44 rimfire single shot

Jim McDougall · 17th July 2025, 10:40 PM

Thank you so much Keith! Yes, this is indeed a falling block, and when the lever (surrounding trigger) is down, the action opens and slides out. The cartridge ejector is activated by the knob underneath which is manually pulled back actuating it to remove the spent cartridge.
It really is slick how it functions, and one of the key features is the strong seal in the action when closed.

Most of what I have read on these is how reliable they were. As always the case it is financial issues that drive the military....case in point, the Little Big Horn, where Custer and his men were so incredibly outgunned . The tribal warriors were armed heavily with Henry repeating rifles, while the army was armed with single shot Springfield 1873 carbines and single action colts. The primary concern was 'efficient' use of ammunition!

Most who have been in the military understand the maxim on ammunition expenditure.

This truly is a solid (the octagon barrel is really heavy) and it is a delightfully balanced rifle when held, and the action is smooth. Honestly I had always deemed it a sporting gun, and had not realized its historic value after my disappointment of the decades ago finding it was not a sharpshooter gun.

While not having the Kentucky mark or visible connections, the fact that it was Ball & Williams produced within the 5000 number of the contract places it firmly in the war years...thus allowing certain possibilities for possible militia use.
That was my goal here, hoping that those with Civil War interests and expertise might have reference or anecdotal material that might apply.

There is a book by John Dutcher on the Ballard rifles which sounds like the place for answers, but not sure I can deal with the INCREDIBLE price tag....400.00 minimum, some over 800.00!!!

17th July 2025, 10:40 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,410	Thank you so much Keith! Yes, this is indeed a falling block, and when the lever (surrounding trigger) is down, the action opens and slides out. The cartridge ejector is activated by the knob underneath which is manually pulled back actuating it to remove the spent cartridge. It really is slick how it functions, and one of the key features is the strong seal in the action when closed. Most of what I have read on these is how reliable they were. As always the case it is financial issues that drive the military....case in point, the Little Big Horn, where Custer and his men were so incredibly outgunned . The tribal warriors were armed heavily with Henry repeating rifles, while the army was armed with single shot Springfield 1873 carbines and single action colts. The primary concern was 'efficient' use of ammunition! Most who have been in the military understand the maxim on ammunition expenditure. This truly is a solid (the octagon barrel is really heavy) and it is a delightfully balanced rifle when held, and the action is smooth. Honestly I had always deemed it a sporting gun, and had not realized its historic value after my disappointment of the decades ago finding it was not a sharpshooter gun. While not having the Kentucky mark or visible connections, the fact that it was Ball & Williams produced within the 5000 number of the contract places it firmly in the war years...thus allowing certain possibilities for possible militia use. That was my goal here, hoping that those with Civil War interests and expertise might have reference or anecdotal material that might apply. There is a book by John Dutcher on the Ballard rifles which sounds like the place for answers, but not sure I can deal with the INCREDIBLE price tag....400.00 minimum, some over 800.00!!!