Lot 36

Engraved Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen Rifle with Round Barrel

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Engraved Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen Rifle with Round Barrel

Estimate: $9,500 - $15,000

Starting Bid: $8,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable Special Order Factory Panel Scene Engraved Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen Single Shot Rifle with Extremely Scarce Round Barrel Manufactured c. 1881 to 1891, this is an exceptional example of the Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen rifle featuring beautiful factory panel scene engraving as well as an extremely scarce special ordered round profile barrel. These No. 6 Schuetzen rifles were one of the most celebrated competition rifles of the late 19th and early 20th century while the competitive shooting craze was at its absolute pinnacle. These rifles forged an iconic legacy on the competition ranges of the United States and around the world, remaining highly revered to this day. In "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" by John Dutcher, it is stated that "In its day, the No. 6 was the last word in target rifles." The rarity of the special ordered round barrel on this example cannot be understated, as no other examples could be identified at the time of this writing, and the previously mentioned book does not make mention of it being an offered option. Marlin, like most other major manufacturers of the period, made it common practice to fulfill essentially any request from customers willing to pay, with this particular rifle almost certainly a prime example. The action features the beautiful Marlin factory engraving, exhibiting a buck panel scene on the left and a bear on the right, both surrounded by masterfully executed floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds and decorative borders. The left of the action has the typical Marlin address and Ballard patent marking arranged in three lines. The top of the barrel has the caliber marking at the breech. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, bottom of the barrel, rear face of the forearm, and inside the buttplate. The serial number on the bottom of the barrel appears to have been stamped through the finish. It is fitted with a windage adjustable globe front sight, no provision for a rear sight on the barrel, a Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang, and a loop and finger spur lever. It is mounted with a horn tipped forearm and straight grip stock, both with factory multi-point checkering, a cheekpiece, and a nickeled Schuetzen buttplate.

Manufacturer: Marlin Firearms Co

Model: Ballard-Rifle

BBL: 32 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 38-55

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number16514

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The John Dutcher Collection
  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% of the original blue finish, 85% of the original case colors, and 95% of the original nickel plating on the buttplate with some light wear, primarily on handling areas and edges, a few light handling marks, and extremely crisp engraving. The forearm is very fine with some scattered light dings and scratches, a few small insect holes in the horn tip, and crisp checkering. The professionally restored buttstock is very fine with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is an extremely scarce special ordered example of the Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen rifle with a round barrel!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000