Marlin · Rifle
Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen
Falling block · .32-40 Winchester · introduced 1876
Also known as Marlin-Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen, Ballard No. 6 Off-Hand, Ballard Schuetzen Off-Hand
About the Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen
The Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen is a single-shot falling-block target rifle built by Marlin around the Charles H. Ballard action. Introduced in 1876 as the 'Off-Hand Model' for European-style Schuetzen competition, it pairs a heavy half-octagon barrel chambered for the .32-40 with a double-set trigger, vernier peep sights, and a finely figured walnut stock with cheek piece and hook-pattern Schuetzen buttplate. It is regarded as one of the finest American precision target rifles of the 19th century.
The Ballard action was designed by Charles H. Ballard and patented in 1861; after the patents passed to Schoverling & Daly, John Mahlon Marlin refined it into one of the best single-shot rifles of the 19th century, and the No. 6 Schuetzen became a favourite of off-hand target shooters.
Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen specifications
General
- Type
- Rifle
- Action
- Falling block
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Set trigger
- Calibres
- .32-40 Winchester
- Magazine capacity
- 1 rounds
- Magazine
- Internal
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 762 mm (30.0 in)
- Overall length
- 1170 mm (46.1 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 6.80 kg (14.99 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling
- Right hand
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Stock
- Walnut
- Finish
- case_hardened
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 435 m/s (1427 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 1011 J (746 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 180 m
History
- Introduced
- 1876
- Discontinued
- 1890
- Production status
- Discontinued
- Country of origin
- US
- Designer
- Charles H. Ballard
Features
- Double set trigger
- Half octagon barrel
- Vernier peep sight
- Schuetzen buttplate
- Cheek piece
- Pistol grip stock
Safety
- Half cock notch
Examples typically weigh 14 to 17 pounds depending on barrel weight. Marlin restricted the No. 6 chambering options largely to .32-40 and .38-50 after 1883. Vernier peep sights were commonly graduated to 800 yards.
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