Here is a carbine that you don't often see offered for sale. It is an original Civil War Ballard carbine. It was made by the firm of Ball and Williams of Worcester, Massachusetts. They assembled these carbines using the parts that were purchased from the bankruptcy sale of the firm of Dwight ,Chapin & Co. in 1863. They assembled approximately 15,600 of these guns according to Flayderman's guide. All of those produced/ manufactured were purchased by the state of Kentucky in April 1864. The left-hand side of the frame has the marking of the firm and "MERWIN & BRAY AGTS NEW YORK". The top of the barrel and the top of the frame have the matching and correct serial number of "10,670". The other side of the frame has the stamping of "BALLARD PATENT Nov. 5, 1861". This gun has most of the traits of the military model except for having a rounded barrel and frame which are traits of the Sporting rifle. The barrel is full-length at 26 inches in length and the bore is .46 with the clear lands and grooves. It has the globe style front sight intact and the rear sight is a fine looking original as well. The mechanics of the gun are fully functional on all positions. It even has the original cartridge extractor intact. The stock has a pretty dark tone all over that displays quite well. The forestock has been trimmed down and they got rid of the barrel band. It has the base of the rear sling swivel is still present but no swivel. It has the military style buttplate intact. This is a very attractive original Civil War Ballard patent carbine / rifle.