Elegant. How strong are the Ballards?

The Ruger in this photo is a 375 H&H. That's not uncommon. The rifle behind it, though, I have only ever seen one example. It is a Rodda Field's Patent falling block, in Cal .500-450 #1 Blackpowder Express. The barrel was stamped, "R.R. Rodda & Co, # & #8 Dalhousie Square, Calcutta". I was told it was circa 1890.



It was clearly someone's favorite hunting rifle. It was extensively engraved, but the engraving was almost completely worn away, as it balanced right at the action. The bore was rough, and the breechblock had about .005 to .010" play in it. It was not heavy, and balanced very well. I still kick myself for letting it get away. Shoulda had it rebored to .500 cal, I think.

The stories that rifle could have told, in the golden age of the British empire...

Very strong. Strong enough to kill anything on the continent, and that rifle probably has. It is my current go-to hunting rifle.

I love hunting with an original 19th century rifle, yet it is no handicap at all.

Brent

This is an honest-to-goodness Buffalo rifle shipped to Montana in 1878. It no doubt killed a few. I am in the process of resurrecting the gun to carry on it's former glory...

Another old Marlin-Ballard, 4-1/2 A1 in 40-65 Ballard Everlasting, just a joy to shoot. Haven't been brave enough to take it hunting though.



max

Very nice target rifle there. A bit heavy for hunting and that front sight is not hunting friendly, but it could be made to work well for a lot of things, including pronghorns.

I especially like the way the Ballard forearm is finished at the tip. Very nice.

shrapnel, what does that old Sharps weigh and caliber?

Here's a couple of not so common singles.
This is my Haenal, which was a gift from a very good friend who does not shoot it anymore.


And of course, my original Highwall, which are getting harder to find in original shape.

My martini cadet in .22LR sporting class target rifle

Cat

It is a 40-90 Sharps Bottleneck, it weighs 14 1/2 pounds...