Ballard No. 2 Sporting Rifle
Marlin Firearms · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1876
Also known as: Marlin-Ballard No. 2, Marlin Ballard #2 Sporting Rifle
Overview
The Ballard No. 2 Sporting Rifle is a single-shot, breech-loading falling-block rifle built by Marlin Firearms on Charles H. Ballard's patented action. Produced from 1876 to 1891, the No. 2 was a light hunting model chambered in .38 Long Rimfire and fitted with a 30-inch octagon barrel, a German silver blade front sight, and an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight. Its smooth walnut forearm with horn forend insert and straight-grip stock with crescent buttplate made it a popular and affordable small-game and sporting rifle of the late frontier era.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1170 mm (46.06") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 232 m/s (761 fps) |
| Effective Range | 120 m (131 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38 Long Rimfire · primary — also known as .38 Ballard, .38 Long
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Falling Block Action, Lever Operated Breech, Octagon Barrel, German Silver Blade Front Sight, Semi Buckhorn Rear Sight, Crescent Buttplate, Straight Grip Stock
Base model
Production
Production years: 1876-1891
Built by Marlin Firearms as part of the numbered Ballard single-shot series; the No. 2 Sporting was a mid-grade hunting model
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles Henry Ballard
Discontinued: 1891
Notes
The No. 2 was one of the lighter, more economical Sporting grades in Marlin's Ballard lineup, typically supplied with a 30-inch octagon barrel in .38 Long Rimfire. Configurations varied, and Deluxe No. 2 examples were offered with upgraded wood and engraving.
Background
By the 1870s Marlin had turned Charles Ballard's falling-block patent into a graded catalog of single-shot rifles; the modest No. 2 Sporting put a fast-locking, accurate breechloader within reach of working hunters who could not afford the premium target Ballards.