Extremely rare Ball patent rifle musket designed by Albert Ball and manufactured by E.G. Lamson & Co, and one of only a few known full length Ball breech loading military rifle muskets with very little published information and no known contract. A reported 1,002 Ball carbines were manufactured on contract starting in 1864 and delivered after the end of the Civil War. The Ball uses a tubular magazine similar to the Henry and later Winchesters. Interestingly, Winchester and Smith & Wesson both purchased E.G. Lamson & Co.'s machinery after the war. Fixed front and unmarked folding ladder rear sight, cleaning rod on the right side of the forearm, left side of the receiver marked "E.G. LAMSON & CO./WINDSOR. VT./U.S./BALLS PATENT./ JUNE.23.1863/MAR. 15" (1864 date at the end is removed by the magazine cutoff switch), and saddle ring and bar on the left side of the receiver as seen on the carbines. Smooth three-band forearm and straight grip stock with no visible cartouche, and a steel crescent buttplate. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes leather sling and wood tampion. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very good, mostly a gray/brown patina overall with scattered spotting, and traces of original case colors on the receiver. Wood is also very good with scattered dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is as rare as they come in terms of U.S. Military long arms, and is the only example of a full length Ball Rifle Musket to ever come through Rock Island.