Ballard Rifle Co. Model No. 7 Long Range Falling Block Single Shot Rifle, Blue & Case Color 34” Double Set Triggers, Soule Sights, MFD 2002 – .45-110 Sharps

SOLD FOR: $3,285

LSB#: 150708EB40

Make: Ballard Rifle Co.

Model: Ballard No. 7 Long Range – Custom Ordered

Serial Number: C788

Year of Manufacture: 2002

Caliber: .45-110 Sharps

Action Type: Ballard Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot

Markings: The underside of the barrel and receiver are marked “C788”. The underside of the barrel (under the forearm) is also marked “B”. The left side of the receiver is marked “BALLARD RIFLE AND CARTRIDGE / Co. LLC – Cody Wyoming USA / BALLARD’S PATENT, NOV. 5, 186”. The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “45-110”.

Barrel Length: The barrel is octagon along the forend and round for the rest of its 34” length. The barrel is 1.0” in diameter at the muzzle.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe sight with bubble level that is dovetailed into the top of the barrel. The sight has replaceable sight inserts that are quickly accessed with a quick change lever on the top of the globe. The bubble level tube is also replaceable. The sight insert in the globe is a ball and pin. The rear sight is a tall long-range Soule aperture sight mounted on the upper tang. The sight has a 3 ¼” adjustment range for elevation and is also adjustable for windage. The sight has a large Hadley eyecup that has 9 different sized apertures for shooting in every conceivable ambient light condition. The eyecup has a rubber “O” ring on its rear face to protect the shooters glasses while shooting, and the sight also comes with a brown suede sight cover to help protect the stock.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece Exhibition grade walnut with an “AA” hand rubbed finish. The buttstock has a pistol grip with a checkered case colored steel shotgun style buttplate. The forend has an ebony Schnabel tip with a mild curvature. The stocks are beautiful, so please see our pictures. There are two tiny marks on the left side of the comb. The LOP measures 13 15/16” from the front of the forward trigger and 13 1/8” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows no wear except for a tiny nick in its edge at the toe. The buttplate and the stocks are in Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: The barrel is blued. The receiver, lever, hammer and triggers are case colored.

Finish Originality: All Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion. This rifle came to us with a clean bore, and it is obvious the former owner took as much care keeping the bore nice as he did the outside of the gun.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrel shows a few tiny scratches on the right side of its front edge. There are also a few very light handling marks along the underside and right side of the round part of the barrel and a faint mark in the top of the octagon part of the barrel. There are a few tiny spots of frosting and a few very light marks on the sides of the receiver. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. The hammer moves downwards with the breechblock on this rifle, and care must be taken to never open the lever with the hammer cocked, or damage to the hammer sear could occur. The rifle has double set triggers and the front trigger breaks at 8oz. We have not fired this rifle.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a signed and dated Test Fire and Final Inspection Sheet, the original factory Invoice showing the special option Exhibition graded hand rubbed wood and ebony forend tip, and a Warning and Cleaning Instructions sheet. All are in Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: This is a beautiful single shot Ballard No. 7 Long Range rifle chambered in .45-110 Sharps. The rifle has a Ballard action, 34” heavy barrel, double set triggers, and a stock made from exhibition grade wood with an “AA” hand rubbed finish. It has a globe bubble level front sight and a long range Soule sight mounted on the tang with 3 ¼” of elevation adjustment and a nine aperture Hadley eyecup. The rifle is beautiful, so please see our pictures! The rifle is in Excellent condition with about 98% of its original finish remaining. There are few tiny scratches at the front edge of the barrel on the right side, a few light handling marks along the length of the barrel and the sides of the receiver, and a few tiny spots of surface frosting on the receiver. The wood shows two light marks on the left side of the comb. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, and the trigger as currently set breaks at only 8oz. If you want the ultimate long range target rifle for BPCR shooting, this is it! Early blackpowder loads for the .45-110 drove a 550 grain bullet at 1360 fps. At this velocity, the bullets are going to arc a lot, but once you have calibrated the tang sight, you will find hitting targets at known distances past 400 yards to be a lot easier than you thought. Blackpowder yields more consistent muzzle velocities than smokeless and the heavy bullets are not affected by wind as much as the lighter bullets used in the smaller cartridges. The Hadley eyecup is adjustable for ambient light levels, allowing the smallest possible opening while still being able to see the front sight clearly. This rifle can also be used for SASS long range side events and hunting all North American large game animals.

Ballard Rifle Co. Model No. 7 Long Range Falling Block Single Shot Rifle, Blue & Case Color 34” Double Set Triggers, Soule Sights, MFD 2002 - .45-110 Sharps
Ballard Rifle Co. Model No. 7 Long Range Falling Block Single Shot Rifle, Blue & Case Color 34” Double Set Triggers, Soule Sights, MFD 2002 – .45-110 Sharps