Ball & Williams were originally contracted to manufacture 5,000 of these carbines in January 1864 but ultimately only delivered 1,500 before abandoning the contract in favor of better profits received from contracts for the Kentucky cavalry. Of the 1,500 delivered to the federal government, 1,200 were issued to the Vermont militia after the St. Albans Raid, the northernmost land battle of the war. This example appears to have seen little, if any, use at all and is likely one of a very select few that was not issued and most likely instead sat in government storage. It features a blade front sight, standard notch and folding leaf rear sight, Ballard patent markings on the right side of the frame, Ball & Williams and Merwin & Bray markings on the left of the frame, "M.M" inspection initials on various components, "H" inspection mark on top of the stock ahead of the buttplate tang, and a circled script "MM" cartouche on the left of the stock. Provenance: The John R. McMurray Collection; The David Aroh Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Excellent plus, nearly as issued, with 95% plus original blue finish with some flaked finish and mostly crisp markings, minimal wear, and some slight oxidation. The wood is also excellent plus and has an exceptionally crisp cartouche, some minor bruising by the barrel band, slight flaking at the toe, and light scratches. Mechanically excellent. One of the finest ever brought to market!