Ballard No. 7 Long Range Creedmoor
Marlin Firearms · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1879
Also known as: Marlin Ballard No. 7 Long Range, Ballard No. 7 Creedmoor, Ballard No. 7 A-1 Long Range, Creedmoor A-1
Overview
The Ballard No. 7 Long Range Creedmoor is a heavy single-shot, breech-loading falling-block target rifle built on Charles Henry Ballard's patent and produced by Marlin Firearms of New Haven from about 1879 to 1883. It was the dedicated long-range match model of the Marlin-Ballard line, made to compete in the Creedmoor-style 800-, 900-, and 1,000-yard target matches that were popular in the era. The rifle used a lever-operated falling-block action with double-set triggers and a long part-octagon barrel of roughly 34 inches, and it was fitted with a long-range Vernier peep tang sight and a wind-gauge front sight for precise elevation and windage adjustment. Chambered for big black-powder Creedmoor cartridges such as the .44-100 Everlasting, the No. 7 carried a checkered walnut pistol-grip stock and weighed about ten pounds.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4540 g (160.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1270 mm (50.00") |
| Barrel Length | 864 mm (34.02") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Set |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2642 J (1949 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1190 m (1301 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .44-100 Ballard Everlasting · primary — also known as .44-100, .44-100 Everlasting, .44-100 Ballard
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Falling Block Action, Ring Lever, Double Set Triggers, Part Octagon Barrel, Long Range Vernier Peep Sight, Wind Gauge Front Sight, Pistol Grip Stock, Checkered Walnut
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Competitive long-range target and Creedmoor match shooters
Production
Production years: 1879-1883
Built by Marlin Firearms (J.M. Marlin) of New Haven, Connecticut as the long-range Creedmoor target model of the Marlin-Ballard single-shot line; produced in relatively small numbers and offered in several grades including the No. 7 A-1
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles Henry Ballard
Discontinued: 1883
Notes
The No. 7 Long Range was offered in several grades, including the higher-finished No. 7 A-1 (Creedmoor A-1) with fancier wood and upgraded sights. Long-range Ballards were chambered for a range of heavy black-powder target cartridges including the .44-100 and .45-100 Everlasting; individual rifles varied considerably in barrel profile, sights, and stock configuration.
Background
The No. 7 Long Range was the Marlin-Ballard's match-day thoroughbred, built for the great Creedmoor target meetings where American and international teams squared off at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. With its Vernier tang sight clicking out elevation by the yard and a wind-gauge front blade reading the breeze, it was a precision instrument dressed as a buffalo gun.