Replacement barrels supplied for their own guns received the “OF” or “circle-P” mark, but look at the “Made to Order” mark on this one: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/802598334
Was that done because it was ordered for a Ballard? It must also have been ordered un-chambered because there’s no factory caliber marking, only the hand-stamped mark made when the bore was later lined to .22LR. (Gun must have had a LOT of lead pass through it to wear out the original bore & then the WRA bore.)
A number of years back I had a Marlin Ballard Scheutzen rifle with a heavy Winchester oct. bbl. in 32-40. The only Winchester markings I recall on the bbl. Was”made to order for Marlin Firearms Co. by Winchester etc” I don’t remember any proof marks, but then the gun was an 1880’s mfg. I’ll have to see if I can find the pictures of it.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
A number of years back I had a Marlin Ballard Scheutzen rifle with a heavy Winchester oct. bbl. in 32-40. The only Winchester markings I recall on the bbl. Was”made to order for Marlin Firearms Co. by Winchester etc”
That’s even stranger than the one on Gunbroker! Because, even though Ballard production ended in 1891, barrels were certainly still being made by Marlin, & it’s hard to believe they couldn’t or wouldn’t make one in their own factory for the owner of such a Ballard.
I also saw the “made to order” mark on a British-made rifle chambered for .30-40. There was a time from, roughly, the 1890s through at least the ’20s, when Winchester was doing quite a bit of this rebarreling work on guns other than their own. For ex., Winchester supplied bored, but un-rifled, barrels to Harry Pope.
Many years ago My Wife and I had the opportunity to tour the Marlin factory and gun collection at new Haven. At that time they invited the newly formed Marlin Collectors Assn. for tours. Any way touring the plant ballistics room, etc. I seen Marlins fitted with Winchester, Remington , Savage,Pope and various other bbl.’s and parts etc. I wish I had taken more pictures at the time, it was quite an experience to a young collector.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
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