Ballard Sporting Rifle .32 Rim fire RARE 1861, Civil War Rifle

Ballard sporting rifle 28 inch octagon barrel, right side of receiver marked "Ballard's Patent Nov. 5, 1861" left side marked "Mervin & Bray, Agts New York". These were manufactured 1862-1865 and majority manufactured to fill civil war military orders. This one is serial number 17,187 and yes! Both barrel and receiver are matching. Top of the barrel marked "No 32" plus "17187". Yes! The sling swivel studs are factory original. Did I say it's a .32 Rimfire caliber? Wow! As you know that is the rare one and the books says .32R.F. is worth a premium. Metal is very good, a lot of original blue and never been reblued. Wood also, never sanded or refinished. Action is tight and holds in place. Hammer and trigger work real well. Check out the outside shell extractor near the back of the forearm, wow! That is different. The bore still has lots of rifling. Forearm has a small old crack along the extractor and the stock has an old tight cracks along the top, left side. Both are complete with all the original wood. Still has it's original crescent steel butt plate. Civil war time frame, wow! This is one rare piece and belongs in an museum or an advanced collection.