Thread: Marlin Ballard restoration

Reversible pin setup rather clever. I think Marlin continued with Ballard rifling - no doubt with changes - for over 100 years. From mid 1950s they did change their rimfires to the new microgroove barrel design which worked a treat. Still does.

John Marlin a contemporary of John Browning and both were also designing early lever actions in 1880-1890s. Browning designed the iconic Winchester 94, and John Marlin also busy with range of levers from model 1881 - about contemporary with your Ballard No 4 hunter. Have not seen any early Marlin levers and know nothing about them - though one of those early levers was the predecessor of the later Marlin 336s. John Browning's Winchester 94 design went on to become the biggest selling centrefire sporter in history. Marlin 336 lever the second biggest seller. Those boys knew their business..

Might have to pop over the hill to have at that rifle akaroa...