Ballard No. 5 Pacific
Marlin Firearms · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1876
Also known as: Marlin Ballard No. 5 Pacific, Ballard No. 5 Pacific Model, Marlin-Ballard Pacific
Overview
The Ballard No. 5 Pacific 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. Introduced around 1876 as the heavy buffalo and long-range model of the Marlin-Ballard line, the Pacific was fitted with a heavy octagon barrel of roughly 30 inches and chambered for powerful black-powder cartridges such as the .45-70 Government along with .44-77, .40-65 and other large calibers. Weighing between 10 and 12 pounds, it was worked by a finger lever that dropped the breechblock, used Marlin's automatic extractor, and commonly carried double-set triggers with provision for a long-range tang aperture sight, making it one of the principal rifles used to hunt buffalo on the American frontier.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4990 g (176.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1220 mm (48.03") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 411 m/s (1348 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2215 J (1634 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 275 m (301 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45-70 Government · primary — also known as .45-70, .45-70 Govt, 11.6x53mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Falling Block Action, Finger Lever, Heavy Octagon Barrel, Automatic Extractor, Double Set Triggers, Pistol Grip Stock, Long Range Tang Sight Ready
Base model
Service history
Operators
- American buffalo hunters and long-range marksmen
Production
Production years: 1876-1891
Produced by J.M. Marlin Firearms Co. as the heavy buffalo/long-range model of the single-shot Marlin-Ballard line; total Ballard output under Marlin is estimated near 40,000 across all models
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Charles Henry Ballard
Discontinued: 1891
Notes
The No. 5 Pacific sat at the heavy end of the New Ballard sporting family, above the lighter No. 1 Hunter's and below dedicated Schuetzen target models. Listed weights, barrel lengths and chamberings varied between individual guns; figures here reflect a typical .45-70 heavy-barrel example.
Background
Marketed as a buffalo and long-range rifle, the No. 5 Pacific's heavy octagon barrel and heavy black-powder chamberings made it a favorite of frontier market hunters and, in its target guise, of the long-range shooting matches that flourished in 1870s America.