Ballard 7A1 Extra Grade long range rifle built in 1877-1878 to compete in 1000 yard matches popular at the time. The Extra Grade was Marlin’s premier Ballard model featuring a 34 inch barrel chambered in 44-100 Ballard, round barrel with Rigby style flats, fancy buttstock with minimal heel drop to mitigate the heavy recoil and regulation weight and trigger pull. This rifle was used by Charles DeQuillfeldt who was a notable inventor at the time and features amber colored horn inlays and buttplate, intricate overlapping scroll engraving with an elaborate American eagle scene possibly engraved by Ed Coleman and retaining the original (numbered) cased sights.
Overall View
Receiver and Pistol Grip Detail - Right Side
Receiver and Pistol Grip Detail - Left Side
Receiver Engraving Detail
Engraving Detail on Rigby Flat and Top of Receiver