SCARCE MARLIN BALLARD NO. 6-1/2 RIGBY OFFHAND MID-RANGE TARGET RIFLE.

SCARCE MARLIN BALLARD NO. 6-1/2 RIGBY OFFHAND MID-RANGE TARGET RIFLE. SN 9174. Cal. Appears to be 38-50 Ballard. Beautiful target rifle with 28″ rnd bbl, windgage spirit level front sight, no provision for a rear sight and a thick base vernier tang sight with 3″ staff. Bbl has the distinctive three relief raised Rigby ribs where it meets receiver. Receiver is rebated with beveled edges. Mounted with very highly figured, streaky French walnut with horn schnable tipped checkered forearm and pistol grip buttstock that has serpentine grip cap with triangular horn insert and scarce checkered orig “BALLARD” embossed hard rubber buttplate. Receiver is beautifully engraved with the vignette of a running deer on left side and a standing bear on right side, all surrounded by wonderfully executed foliate arabesque patterns. Engraving has heart shaped borders and extends over top three flats of receiver and top of wrist. Bbl ribs are engraved to match with top rib having the “BALLARD” embossed ribbon and dbl ended arrow. Muzzle of bbl also has an engraved band. It has the full loop lever with a long checkered trigger. This appears to be a third model No. 6-1/2 Rigby offhand with New York style engraving probably from Nimschke shop. While this model is not common it was very popular in its day with serious target shooters and today very few examples are found in unaltered orig condition. Serial number was observed in usual position on bottom front of receiver, bottom of bbl, rear face of forearm, with the numbers “174” on front face of buttstock and the “4” is very lightly struck. PROVENANCE: David D. Sobel Single Shot Rifle Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 97-98% strong orig blue. Receiver retains moderately faded case colors on left side and over the top with right side and bottom case colors mostly faded to silver. Hammer & breech block retain most of their orig case colors. Lever retains smoky case colors, stronger in sheltered areas. Stock has the obligatory two hairlines in top of wrist, otherwise wood is sound with minor handling & storage mars in the finish and retains most of its orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-39117 JR30 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1426	$10,925.00	SCARCE MARLIN BALLARD NO. 6-1/2 RIGBY OFFHAND MID-RANGE TARGET RIFLE. SN 9174. Cal. Appears to be 38-50 Ballard. Beautiful target rifle with 28″ rnd bbl, windgage spirit level front sight, no provision for a rear sight and a thick base vernier tang sight with 3″ staff. Bbl has the distinctive three relief raised Rigby ribs where it meets receiver. Receiver is rebated with beveled edges. Mounted with very highly figured, streaky French walnut with horn schnable tipped checkered forearm and pistol grip buttstock that has serpentine grip cap with triangular horn insert and scarce checkered orig “BALLARD” embossed hard rubber buttplate. Receiver is beautifully engraved with the vignette of a running deer on left side and a standing bear on right side, all surrounded by wonderfully executed foliate arabesque patterns. Engraving has heart shaped borders and extends over top three flats of receiver and top of wrist. Bbl ribs are engraved to match with top rib having the “BALLARD” embossed ribbon and dbl ended arrow. Muzzle of bbl also has an engraved band. It has the full loop lever with a long checkered trigger. This appears to be a third model No. 6-1/2 Rigby offhand with New York style engraving probably from Nimschke shop. While this model is not common it was very popular in its day with serious target shooters and today very few examples are found in unaltered orig condition. Serial number was observed in usual position on bottom front of receiver, bottom of bbl, rear face of forearm, with the numbers “174” on front face of buttstock and the “4” is very lightly struck. PROVENANCE: David D. Sobel Single Shot Rifle Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 97-98% strong orig blue. Receiver retains moderately faded case colors on left side and over the top with right side and bottom case colors mostly faded to silver. Hammer & breech block retain most of their orig case colors. Lever retains smoky case colors, stronger in sheltered areas. Stock has the obligatory two hairlines in top of wrist, otherwise wood is sound with minor handling & storage mars in the finish and retains most of its orig factory varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-39117 JR30 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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