Ballard No. 9 Union Hill
Marlin Firearms · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1884
Also known as: Marlin Ballard No. 9 Union Hill, Ballard Union Hill No. 9, Marlin-Ballard No. 9
Overview
The Ballard No. 9 Union Hill is a single-shot, falling-block target rifle built by Marlin Firearms on the Ballard action. Introduced in 1884 alongside the double-set-trigger No. 8, the No. 9 is the single-trigger version of the Union Hill pattern, aimed at the medium-price Schuetzen and offhand target market. It typically wears a 28 or 30 inch half-round, half-octagon barrel, a hooded globe front sight, an adjustable sporting rear sight, and a figured American walnut Schuetzen buttstock with cheek rest and Swiss-style buttplate. Chambered most commonly in the accurate .38-55, it was a popular choice in the Schuetzen matches of the late 19th century.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4380 g (154.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1181 mm (46.50") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Set |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 397 m/s (1302 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1278 J (943 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38-55 Winchester · primary — also known as .38-55 Win, .38-55 WCF, .38-55 Ballard
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Falling Block Action, Single Trigger, Half Octagon Barrel, Hooded Globe Front Sight, Adjustable Sporting Rear Sight, Pistol Grip Buttstock, Cheek Rest, Swiss Buttplate, Figured Walnut Stock, Schuetzen Forearm
Base model
Service history
Operators
- American Schuetzen target shooters · adopted 1884
Production
Production years: 1884-1891
Offered in the Union Hill pattern with 28 or 30 inch half-octagon barrels; a popular medium-price Schuetzen target rifle.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles H. Ballard
Discontinued: 1891
Notes
The Union Hill models were new patterns of the No. 8 (double-set trigger) and No. 9 (single trigger) rifles. Production ran from 1884 to 1891.
Background
The Ballard action was invented by American machinist Charles H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts, and later produced by Marlin Firearms. The No. 9 Union Hill became a staple of American Schuetzen offhand competition, prized for the inherent accuracy of its falling-block action and the mild, accurate .38-55 cartridge.