The Mk III Snider and the Ballard Carbine: The Battle of Eccles Hill

lorne19

lorne19

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For those with an interest in the Ballard Rifle, Snider Enfield and the Needham Conversion and there use on the battlefield you should check out Rob Enfield's (Britishmuzzleloaders) latest video on a little known piece of Canadian history. The Mk III Snider and the Ballard Carbine: The Battle of Eccles Hill Part 1. Part 2 will follow later this year or early next year and will dive into the battlefield use of the Needham at Eccles Hill and will set the record straight on some of the myth and legend surrounding the Needham. As a Collector, historical shooter and Townshipper I was proud to contribute to this project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrG6iRy5H7w&t=177s&ab_channel=britishmuzzleloaders
 
We never found my great great grandfather's ballard rifle





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I have no idea what happened to Pell's Ballard.

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The story is indeed fascinating! I have a flat picture and commentary book from the Brome Mississquoi Historical Society on the Eccles Hill Raid. The cover art and design remind me of the Osprey Men At War series. Intrigue, espionage, ethnic loyalty, murder, betrayal, grand (and ignominious) military adventurers, high level diplomatic positioning, local military abandonment. Quite a worthwhile chapter of Canadian history.
 
Lorne,

Thanks for posting about the video on here. It's a good idea to get the word out as much as we can.

Guns with provenance are so rare because the information needed to establish that provenance is not seen as useful by many people so it is by mere luck that the information survives. For most people guns are either just a tool or an evil things to be feared for very few of us they are interesting historic objects and a tangible connection to the past. Some people, like Ross have almost an internal radar for finding guns with provenance. I think it helps that he knows so many of the families that were involved in the Battle of Eccles Hill.

Along the way the information link to Pell's Ballard might have been lost. One of my Ballards is in the right serial number range and is a cut down long barrel model like the ones purchased by the Red Sashes but I have no provenance on the gun when I acquired it and so I will never know its history. This might very well have been the fate of Pell's Ballard or it will eventually fall out of one of the attics in the Eastern Townships.
 
Doing my best to spread the word and build awareness. Ross has a sixth sense for finding fascinating guns or tangible pieces of history for that matter. Weather they be in his backyard or across the country he finds them. I've been actively looking for Needham for over three years and in that time he's found 2.

Your very right, few understand the importance of provenance and this isn't unique to just firearms but to anything. As someone who collects not just historic British/Canadian small arms but local militaria provenance is often key and few outside of a small group of serious collectors understand why its important. Further the hobby has many who are perhaps more accumulator than collector who don't appreciate what lies beneath the surface of a "cool" artifact. I hope that at least this video series will raise awareness of the events at Eccles Hill and dispel some of the myths and missinformation that floats around. Of course that might also mean that the perceived value of these rifles might begin to climb. Can't help that lol
 
Incurable Collectoer said:
The down side is that Ballards might get a bit more desirable as examples of Canadian martial arms.
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You and I both know that the story of the Ballard in Red Sash service isn't has simply as most believe and that might give some of us an advantage for awhile. The popularity of the Needham on the other hand is climbing rapidly.
 
drm3m said:
I don't know if # 447 was at Eccles Hill.











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Without provenance to this specific rifle there's no way to know as far as I'm aware weather this rifle was indeed at Eccles Hill. Many of the Fenian Needham's never even made it into the hands of a Fenian solider and most were discarded or confiscated by U.S officials. Some also were never Fenian property or at least bear no Fenian property marks. your best bet to have an Eccles Hill connection would be to find the rifle locally in an attic, barn or old family collection with connections to the region going back to 1870. Does your have the V cut under the band? Also regardless of provenance beautiful Needham, I would certainly love to own it. I say this in jest but should she ever need a new home I'd be a great caretaker ;)
 
Thanks for your interest.

The fellow that I bought the Needham from got it at this gun show on Dec 3 2017.
I bought it on Dec 20 2017.



I found out later that the seller at the gun show was from Three Rivers Quebec---I know this fellow ---he is a dealer in antique guns.
I contacted him at that time to try and find out more about the history of the gun.
He said he had owned it for about 10 years and that he bought it from a collector in Toronto.

CORRECTION

I contacted him today and he said he thought it came from an auction in 2015 from either Switzer or Ward.
 
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Thanks for the info. Certainly there little question that your Needham or at the very least the stock was in Fenian hands at some point. Interestingly enough I recently discovered some archival documents that indicates that not only were Fenian forces at Eccles Hill armed with Needham's but also Springfield muskets and Spencer's. If you'd like more info please feel free to PM me.
 
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