Identifying round ball molds

[Ky-Flinter]

I bought a box of stuff that included several round ball molds.  The numbers on the mold blocks are definitely not the ball sizes.  Any ideas on the maker and size of these molds?

This one is stamped 188, but the cavity measures about .530





This one is marked 869, but the cavity also measures about .530



This one is marked 455, but the cavity measures about .490



Also in the lot was a Lyman Ideal mold in the original box.  It is a .395 round ball mold, but it is stamped 670.  The blocks of this mold are smaller and machined a little differently, and the sprue cutter is shorter than the 3 above.  Any ideas will be appreciated.

-Ron

[Kevin]

Greetings Ron,

Looks like both halves of the mold in the first picture has the "188" on them.  Maybe production numbers used to keep a set of parts together?

Kevin

[Ky-Flinter]

Thanks Kevin,

Yes, each mold set has the same number stamped on each half, but no other markings.

-Ron

[Daryl]

Must be custom maker - no air vent lines.  I saw a bunch of moulds like this years ago - 1970's - maybe 1980's.
Buddy Brad had one, a 4 cavity ,575" mould, that you poured 2 cavities, let the sprue harden, then turned the mould over and poured those two cavities full.
Shiloh(or something like that), I think it was called. I do not think it was the same company who made the Sharps rifles.

[Maven]

Those blocks look like the anodized aluminum ones sold under Thompson Center's brand.  They're decent moulds, btw.

[Ky-Flinter]

Maven,

Thank you!  I thought they were steel.  Never thought to stick a magnet on them, but sure enough they are aluminum.

-Ron

[hanshi]

I have a couple like that I bought years ago.  They cast quality ball; and the only complaint I have is that they're only single cavity.  They've been used quite a bit and are still in fine shape.