Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This Ballard carbine represents a fascinating piece of late Civil War history connected to the northernmost land action of the conflict – the infamous St. Albans Raid of October 1864. Ball & Williams received a contract for 5,000 of these breechloaders in January 1864, but they only delivered 1,500 before abandoning the contract to pursue more profitable Kentucky cavalry contracts. What makes this gun historically significant is that 1,200 of those delivered ended up being issued to the Vermont militia following a Confederate raid that shocked the North. On October 19, 1864, a band of Confederate agents who had infiltrated from Canada robbed three banks in St. Albans, Vermont, stealing over $200,000. They killed one citizen and injured several others before escaping back to Canada. The raid created panic throughout the northern border states, with fears of further Confederate incursions from supposedly neutral Canada. In response, Vermont quickly armed its militia with these recently delivered Ballard carbines. The “M.M” inspection marks on various components and bordered script “MM” cartouche on the left stock confirm this as one of those government-accepted arms rushed to the state’s defense. The Ballard action itself was one of the better single-shot breechloaders of the era, with patents on the right side of the frame and “Ball & Williams” and “Merwin & Bray” markings on the left indicating both manufacturer and distributor. These carbines served as a deterrent against further raids and tangibly represent how the Civil War touched even the northernmost states, far from the main battlefields. For collectors, they’re a direct connection to one of the war’s most unusual episodes – when Confederate agents brought the conflict to within 15 miles of the Canadian border.
“Civil War U.S. Inspected Ball & Williams Ballard Carbine.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4094/1251/civil-war-us-inspected-ball-williams-ballard-carbine. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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