Marlin Ballard No. 4 Perfection .32-20 28″ Single Shot Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,051.00
LSB#: LSB251109DC106
Make: Marlin Ballard
Model: Perfection No. 4
Serial Number: 32769
Year of Manufacture: 1876-1891 Antique
Caliber: .32-20.
Action Type: Single-Shot Falling Block Rifle
Barrel Length: 28” Octagonal
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. There is no rear sight, just a dovetail slot cover. The top of the receiver at the wrist has two drilled, tapped, and filled holes for installing the installed peep sight .
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with straight grip, straight comb, and a crescent steel buttplate. There is light handling wear. There are scratches and compression marks throughout. There are light scuffs on the buttstock. There are cracks along the wrist. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks rate in about Good Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is light fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8 out of 10. The barrel has been sleeved for .32-20.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 20% of its finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches, thinning, and oxidization throughout. The blue finish has turned to a patina and the case color has muted. There is little case color on the hammer. There are a couple of nicks on the barrel’s edges. There is light thinning on the barrel’s edges. There are deep scratches on the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to tooled with serviceable slots. The markings are legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as Antique.
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, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Marlin Ballard Perfection No. 4 is a 19th century single shot rifle produced during the period when Marlin was refining the Ballard action for sporting and target use. Manufactured between 1876 and 1891, the Perfection model represented a lighter, more affordable Ballard variant intended for recreational shooting and small game rather than heavy match competition. Its falling block action traces directly to Ballard’s earlier patents and reflects the transitional era of American rifle design following the Civil War. The long octagonal barrel and simple sighting arrangement are consistent with the period emphasis on balance and deliberate marksmanship.
This example is configured with a 28 inch octagonal barrel chambered in .32-20 with a sleeved bore, a blade front sight, and a receiver-mounted peep sight, with the original rear barrel dovetail covered. The rifle retains approximately 20 percent of its original metal finish, with extensive thinning, patina, muted case colors, scratches, and oxidation present, including wear along the barrel edges and deeper marks on the receiver. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, showing light fouling and rating 8 out of 10, while the smooth wood stocks show handling wear, compression marks, and wrist cracks without chips, overall rating Good Plus. The action functions correctly and no accessories accompany the rifle. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! -N.P
