56-56 Spencer in 1861 Ballard Carbine

[Dai.S.Loe]

Wel last week I finally got to shoot my original 1861 Ballard Carbine.

I imported some cases from Dixie Arms that enabled me to use a 6mm blank as a primer.

Loaded the case with 30 gns of FFg powder and a .521 ball

Out the back door to my range.

First shot was very cautious as this firearm hasnt been used for about 90 years.

Wonderful.

Took aim at a 2 litre plastic bottle filled with water and fired the second shot. What an impact. Water everywhere.

Placed a paper target at 50 metres and then proceeded to fire 20 rounds at it. Spot on. All shots grouped on nthe targetr beit that it was a large group. Moved to 100 metres and fired the remaining 20 rounds at a target on an A4 piece of paper. All 20 hit the target.

What stood out for me was how little the gun recoiled. I know 30 gns isnt a lot but it just held rock steady.

Now going to get a machinist to make me another 100 cases. I'm looking forward to the first event where I will be using my Uberti '58's and the single shot Ballard along with a hammer shotgun.

Wont be fast but will score major points on the fun factor.


Chris

[Appalachian Ed]

I shoot my Merwin & Bray 56 Cal. Ballard the same way. I have a buddy on my N-SSA team shooting several 56-50 Ballards like this.

The Dixie case are expensive.

If your gun is dual ignition. I know a guy who makes a firing pin assy. you can install in place of the nipple and shoot centerfire 56-50. It is drop in and does not alter the block. I have altered several 46 cal guns, before the firing pin assy. was available.

Let me know and I will hook you up with the guy.

-Ed

[Dai.S.Loe]

I shoot my Merwin & Bray 56 Cal. Ballard the same way. I have a buddy on my N-SSA team shooting several 56-50 Ballards like this.

The Dixie case are expensive.

If your gun is dual ignition. I know a guy who makes a firing pin assy. you can install in place of the nipple and shoot centerfire 56-50. It is drop in and does not alter the block. I have altered several 46 cal guns, before the firing pin assy. was available.

Let me know and I will hook you up with the guy.

-Ed

My Ballard seems to be a very early version, The ejector is a flat piece of steel not rounded serial #1287 and all the internal parts and woodwork are marked with the #15.

Possibly previuos to Williams and Ball.

Its a rimfire ignition only. Looks like I would need to change or alkter the block and the hammer to fire centrefire.

I'd be interested in being put in touch with this person you know.

I'm trying to find out what sort of bullet was fired and where i can get a mould to cast one for the 56-56. I have read thatr they were about .534 in dia. and 365 gn approx.

I'd love to be able to convert in a non damaging way to shoot 56-56 centrefire. Would make it real fun at a competition.

Chris

my e-mail is

pineyre00@ihug.co.nz

[Appalachian Ed]

If it is a 56-50 carbine it was made by Merwin & Bray.

I have converted several Civil War rimfire Ballards to centerfire and if it is not a dual ignition gun, you have to drill the block and install a spring loaded firing pin. The Rimfire pin will have to be relieved a bit also. The 44 call guns can be chambered to take a 44 mag or special case, the 46 cal guns can use a 45 Long Colt blown out to .459 and the 56-50s can use cut down 50-70 brass. All should be loaded light with about 20-24 Gr 2F Goex, and some filler if needed. The cast frames can be broken very easy. Several guys on my team have busted their frames by using 3F Swiss loaded full case.

I compete regularly in the N-SSA with a converted Ballard using light BP loads, and my team has won 1st at Nationals since the inception of the single shot match.

[Arizona Trooper]

Glad to hear you got that carbine working! Yours is probably a Dwight Chapin & Co. Merwin & Bray got the government contract, but their maker, Ball & Williams, was booked up with 44/46 cal production, so M&B went to a new startup company. D-C&Co had lots of problems. Their guns were rejected by government inspectors even after getting extensions to the contract. M&B took all the parts and sent them over to Ball, who made the best of what was there. Eventually 1000 carbines and 835 rifles were delivered to Kentucky. The extractor on my rifle is sn 2000, but the frame is 888 and other parts have different numbers.

I wrote an article on these for the N-SSA "The Skirmish Line" and would be glad to send you a copy.

It sure would be interesting to know the story of how that carbine made it to New Zealand!      

Appalachian Kid, do you know where I can get a set of breechblock haves for a 44? I have a federal contract carbine, GH inspected, with a great bore, but I hate to modify the block on such a rare gun. It's the only CW carbine I own that I have never shot.

[Appalachian Ed]

Arizona Troop. You are 100% correct, I kept writing Merwin but it is Dwight Chapman. I got backwards. My 56 Cal is a Dwight Chapman also. You will be hard pressed to find a set of halves, unless you buy a junker sporting gun off gunbroker or something.

I shoot with the 2nd Ky A Team and we all shoot Ballards and have NEVER been beat in single shot at Nationals. A or B team .

Those paper cutter Sharps or Tip up Wesson's  don't have a chance against a team of Ballards!!
-Ed

[Arizona Trooper]

Too bad nobody has put together a team of Merrill rifles! Actually, the Ballards would still win.

[BobM]

Ed on the 46 cal rifles do you have to have them rechambered to 45LC? I have 2 ballard rifles in 46 and use a 44 spl case with a .459 gass check bullet and 20gr 2f with filler.

[Appalachian Ed]

Yes I have them reamed for 45 LC. I take it you are using the gas check bullet so it has a heel to fit into the 44 case mouth?

Eddie Bruner
2nd Kentucky

[BobM]

Yep Thats what I do. Maybe I'll look you up at the Nationals in a few weeks. I'm not shooting the Ballard this time.Shooting the Spencer to fill out or team. I picked up with a single shot team in the spring and shot my ballard carbine and had a great time.

Bob M
CVG