Ballard Military Rifle
Ball & Williams · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1862
Also known as: Ballard Patent Rifle, Ballard's Patent Breech-Loader
Overview
The Ballard Military Rifle is a single-shot, breech-loading falling-block rifle designed and patented by Charles H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts in 1861. Chambered for the large-bore .54 rimfire cartridge, its falling-block action was actuated by a curved finger lever that dropped the breechblock, ejected the spent case, and brought the external hammer to half-cock as the action closed. Built primarily by Ball & Williams, Ballard arms saw service with Union forces during the American Civil War, with many of the .54 rimfire pattern issued to troops raised by the State of Kentucky.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 959 mm (37.76") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 360 m/s (1181 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1471 J (1085 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .54 Ballard Rimfire · primary — also known as .54 Rimfire, .54 Ballard
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Falling Block Action, Finger Lever, Automatic Shell Ejection, Two Piece Stock
Service history
Operators
- Union Army · adopted 1862
- State of Kentucky · adopted 1864
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 15,600 · Production years: 1862-1865
Total across all Ballard patterns by Ball & Williams; roughly 6,600 were military contract arms. Later commercial Ballards were made by R. Ball & Co., Merrimack Arms, and Brown Manufacturing.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles H. Ballard
Discontinued: 1865
Notes
The falling-block mechanism contained only about five moving parts, making it simple and robust. Ball & Williams produced roughly 15,600 Ballard arms, of which about 6,600 were for military use across rifle and carbine patterns.
Background
Charles Ballard patented his falling-block breech-loader in November 1861, at the height of the Civil War arms scramble. Ball & Williams of Worcester became the principal contractor, and when the federal ordnance department declined further orders of the .54 rimfire pattern, the State of Kentucky bought the arms directly to equip its own troops.