I'm heading to a gun auction and they have the subject gun listed. I've never heard of a "Parker Ballard" and was wondering if anyone knows anything about them. From what I've been able to find on the net it appears to be a parker hale commercial mauser action that was imported into the US. Anyone know anything else about these guns. Any ideas re: a fair price for one in .458 Win in decent condition?

From the Parker Forums:

quote:

Parker Ballards were decent quality Mauser-action rifles marketed in the late 60-70's by Jerry's Sport Center, one of the largest gun and sporting goods distributors in the east of the US. "Parker Ballard" was a trade name coined by Jerry Warsky and his officers at JSC, no doubt to capitalize on both well-known historical names. I understand the rifles were made by Voere in Austria.

I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the above statements, but if it was made by Voere, it should be of good quality.

George

Thanks George. Anyway of telling if it was actually made by Voere? Any distinctive proof marks etc.? If the price is right I might go for it but I really don't need this rifle, but when does that matter. I'm hoping it might be a sleeper at the auction.

It should say 'Made in Austria' on the barrel or receiver . Beyond that, I do not know.

Let us know how you make out.

George

Will do. Auction isn't until next Saturday.

An engineer that works with me has a couple of the caseless Voere rifles... I will ask him to bring one in and post any conspicuous marks.

Best of luck

If made by Voere Austria in the late 60's to early 70's, it should have Parker Ballard, Wilmington, DE on the barrel as well as being a Model 2165. Another sign that it was made by Voere is having a tang safety. I have a Voere Austria "Parker Ballard" made in 1972 in .300 Weatherby that was a custom rifle made for someone in Scranton. If you can get the serial number, you could e-mail the factory in Austria and they could tell you when it was made. I would look at the proof marks on my rifle, but it is at my farm in Virginia. Voere Austria firearms are well made and mine is extremely accurate. BTW I live in Havertown. Where is the auction you are going to?

I have a Parker Ballad in "cal. 30-06" marked on the left side of the barrel. The serial number is found both on the left side of the front action ring and the [edit] right [end edit] side of the barrel, opposite the cartridge mark. On the bottom of the barrel, approximately 1/4" ahead of the action (in the 6 o'clock position) is a stamped "voere" with a sparce-limbed pine tree above. Unfortunately, this example has seen some rough service with second-class buffing refinishing and some of the markings are not particularly clear.

It is a push feed with 3 rebated locking lugs the same diameter as the bolt body. There is an extractor included within the right lug (when cycled) and a spring loaded plunger ejector on the bolt face opposite. There are six lightening cuts the length of the bolt. When in battery, three gas relief ports on the bolt body, within one of the lightening cuts, face toward the right. The bolt handle locks into a machined recess on the action when closed. The trigger acts as the bolt release. The safety is a thumb-operated lever mounted right of center on the rear of the bolt shroud. The firing pin extends through a small hole in the shroud and indicates firing condition.

The top of the action is flat; this flat and the top of the shroud are both checkered approximately 64 lines per inch.

The magazine has a hinged floor plate, released by an inside the bow lever. It appears to be made of aluminum. The follower is brass. "280" is marked on the left side of the cartridge box.

The barrel is an extremely light profile following a parabolic curve contour. On the left side of the barrel, beginning approximately 7 inches from the action, "Parker Ballard Inc. ......" The markings fade off, victim of the buffing wheel.

The stock in this example is a POS constructed of an unknown species of light weight and colored wood. The forend is somewhat triangular, there is a pistol grip, and a cheek piece that rises above the comb and then drops off toward the heel. It is not in any way classic American design, but rather resembles some early Weatherbys in shape.

I inherited this example about 30 years ago from perhaps the third or fourth owner with no knowledge of its' history. Every once in a while I take it out and try to decide what to do with it. It has a racy appearance and unique lines. These days I think it would look best with ".240 Gibbs" on a new barrel and a screwbean mesquite stock. It is both an interesting and unique rifle, but not at all my usual cup of tea. Then I wipe it off and put it away for a few more years.

Treefarmer - The auction is in Freeburg, PA. North of Harrisburg. Not sure right now if I'll even be going. Depends upon the weather on Sat. I got an invitation last night for a goose hunt in a hot field on Saturday so if the weather is right I'll probably be hunting instead.

Kitchen & Treefarmer - Thanks for all the great info, it will really help

Well guys, I never did make it to either the auction or the goose hunt. I came down with a nasty stomach bug that has kept me from leaving the house. I don't think I have to describe it in any more detail.

There were some original Ballard rifles re- barreled (usually #3's) in England by Parker. The ones I saw were all .22 and marked Parker Rifled on the muzzle. FWIW,

Dutch

I just heard from a friend who attended the auction. He described the gun as being very nicely finished and it was marked Wilmington, DE. It sold for $650.