Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Co Mod 1861 30” 22LR Single Shot Rifle MVA Sights

SOLD FOR: $5,827.19

LSB#: LSB250708MS005

Make: Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Co. LLC of Cody Wyoming

Model: 1861 

Serial Number: C793

Year of Manufacture: Circa early-mid 2000s 

Caliber: 22 Long Rifle 

Action Type: Single Shot, Lever Operated, Falling Block Action, with double set adjustable Triggers.

Markings: The barrel is marked “22 L.R.”. The left side of the action is marked “BALLARD RIFLE & CARTRIDGE Co. LLC – CODY WYOMING USA BALLARD’S PATENT, NOV 5, 1861”. The bottom of the action is marked “C793”.    

Barrel Length: 30” medium weight barrel 70/30 round/octagon profile. This rifle weighs 11lbs 15 OZ.  

Sights / Optics: The sights are a Montana Vintage Arms(MVA) set with a Globe front sight currently holding a circle cross hair insert. The tang sight is an MVA Soulle sight with a short range staff and small eye disc. The octagon portion of the barrel has two case colored scope bases mounted.  

Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture set on this rifle is a stunning checkered walnut set. The forend is a thin profile with dark wood Schnabel tip and a mount for a palm rest. The loop on the lever has been filled with a checkered walnut grip. The stock is a straight hand, straight comb, with cheek piece and a Swiss style crescent butt plate. The length of pull is 14” from the front trigger to the inside of the curve of the butt plate. The gap from top to bottom of the butt plate is 4”. The grain and colors in the butt plate are amazing to see in person. The forend shows two small compressions on the edges of the Schnabel tip. The grip inserts show no notable marks or wear. The stock shows a small series of compressions and flattened section of checkering on the right side. The bottom right edge of the butt plate has a small section of flaked chrome. There are no visible chips or cracks. Overall the furniture is in Excellent condition.       

Type of Finish: Blued and Case Colored. 

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. The muzzle is clean. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The barrel and receiver show only very, very minor handling wear with no notable marks. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Excellent to Like New condition.  

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Co. LLC of Cody, Wyoming, was known for producing some of the finest custom single-shot rifles of the late 20th and early 21st century, reviving the craftsmanship and spirit of historic Ballard designs. This Model 1861 in .22 LR is a precision-built target rifle with a 30″ medium weight barrel in a 70/30 round-to-octagon profile, weighing just under 12 lbs. Its sighting system is a high-end Montana Vintage Arms setup, with a globe front sight currently fitted with a circle crosshair insert, paired with an MVA Soulle tang sight with a short-range staff and small eye disc for fine target work. The octagon section of the barrel also carries two case colored scope bases, offering versatility between traditional irons and precision optics.

The walnut furniture is striking, with finely cut checkering and tasteful accents. The slender forend with dark wood Schnabel tip includes a mount for a palm rest, and the lever loop has been filled with a matching checkered walnut grip for comfort and control. The buttstock is straight-hand, straight-comb with a cheekpiece, fitted with a Swiss-style crescent butt plate measuring 4″ top to bottom, with a 14″ length of pull to the front trigger. Case-coloring and intricate engraving elevate the rifle into a true piece of art, with scrollwork on the receiver complemented by vignettes of a deer on one side and a bear on the other. Both a functional precision rifle and an heirloom-grade work of craftsmanship, this Model 1861 represents the pinnacle of Ballard’s modern legacy, an absolutely stunning firearm that happens to be chambered in .22 LR. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.