This is a .54 caliber breech loading carbine manufactured during the Civil War era. This carbine was invented by Charles H. Ballard of Worchester, Massachusetts. He received a patent in November, 1861 for his design of the now famous Ballard action, where the hammer and trigger were an integral part of the breechblock. The carbines used during the Civil War were manufactured by Ball and Williams, also of Worchester, Massachusetts. The selling agents for the Ballard were Joseph Merwin and Edward Bray of Brooklyn, New York. The Ballard was configured in two different calibers, the "Old Model" in .54 caliber and the Model 1864 in .44 caliber. Kentucky was known to have issued the .54 caliber Ballard carbines to the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th and 13th Cavalry Regiments and 4th and 30th Mounted Infantry Regiments. The 2nd Iowa and 7th Ohio Cavalry Regiments were also issued the Ballard carbines. This Ballard carbine has an overall length of 37 /34", with a 22" round barrel. The exterior of the barrel has light oxidation scattered over the entire length of the barrel, but will probably clean up quite well. The barrel retains quite a bit of the original blue. The bore is dark with light rust throughout, but still has visible rifling, gauging at .55 caliber. The original front and rear sights are still on the barrel, with the single leaf rear sight graduated out to 500 yards.The receiver, breechblock and operating lever have a steel gray patina, getting darker towards the bottom of the gun. The butt plate, sling swivels and barrel band all have a darker appearance than the other iron parts of the carbine. Stamped on the left side of the receiver in three lines is MERWIN & BRAY/AGT'S.N.Y/804, with the two line stamp of BALLARDS PATENT/NOV 5, 1861 on the right side of the receiver. The mechanics of the breech work perfectly, the hammer moving to the half cock position when the breech is dropped. The hammer holds in full cock, and functions normally when the trigger is depressed. The two piece stock is in fair condition, with the butt having lost most of the original finish. The dry wood shows an age crack on the right side of the comb, running from the receiver tang back about 5". It is shallow and does not compromise the integrity of the wood. The forearm has a crack running from the retaining screw back to the manual extractor, approximately 2" long. It too is shallow and does not present a problem with the operation of the gun. The only real flaw is the manual extractor, the small knob that protrudes from the bottom of the barrel is missing. This is a fair example of a pretty scarce Civil War era carbine.

Item # AA2831

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