Ballard No. 4 Perfection
Marlin Firearms · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1876
Also known as: Marlin Ballard No. 4 Perfection, Ballard Perfection, No. 4 Perfection
Overview
The Ballard No. 4 Perfection is a single-shot, breech-loading falling-block rifle built on Charles Henry Ballard's 1861 patent and produced by Marlin Firearms of New Haven, Connecticut from about 1876 to 1891. A hunting and general-purpose model in the Marlin-Ballard line, the No. 4 used a lever-operated falling-block action with a centre-hung hammer for fast lock time, a straight-grip frame, and single- or double-set triggers operated by an S lever or ring lever. It carried an octagon barrel of 28, 30 or 32 inches and was chambered for a wide span of black-powder cartridges from .32-40 up through .50-90, with the .38-55 becoming one of the standard offerings by the early 1880s. The rifle wore a blade front sight, a Rocky Mountain rear sight, and a plain walnut stock available with a rifle or shotgun butt.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3860 g (136.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1170 mm (46.06") |
| 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 | 180 m (197 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, Ring Lever, Single Set Trigger, Octagon Barrel, Blade Front Sight, Rocky Mountain Rear Sight, Walnut Stock, Interchangeable Butt
Base model
Service history
Operators
- American hunters and target shooters
Production
Production years: 1876-1891
Produced by Marlin Firearms as the No. 4 Perfection hunting model of the Marlin-Ballard single-shot line; many examples approached semi-custom configurations
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles Henry Ballard
Discontinued: 1891
Notes
Chamberings ranged from .32-40 to .50-90; in 1883 Marlin trimmed the standard offerings to .32-40, .38-55 and .40-65. Barrel weight, butt style and trigger arrangement varied from gun to gun, so individual examples differ considerably.
Background
Marketed as the 'Perfection' of the Marlin-Ballard family, the No. 4 aimed to be the all-round single-shot for the hunter and shooter who wanted falling-block accuracy without the heft of the buffalo-class No. 5 Pacific.