Author Topic: "Scissor" Bullet Molds  (Read 5307 times)

Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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"Scissor" Bullet Molds
« on: March 05, 2011, 08:20:18 PM »
I have a couple of "old" bullet molds that have numbers stamped on them.  Do any of these mean anything?  I've looked at the tables in the back of my Jim Webb "Gun Worm" book thinking that they may correspond with the number of balls per pound of lead, but an not sure.  I've measured the cavity and come up with this:
From top left to top right:
1) "70" = .41 or .42,
2) "75" = .28 or .30,
3) "100" = .35 or .36,
4) "125" = .36,
5) "1?5" = .28 or .30,
6) "194" (with a marked out 8 after the 1) also marked "E.M.Y." = .30.  

Bottom row are unmarked, except for the Colt molds.

Appreciate any info anyone has on these, especially dates, regions, etc.



« Last Edit: March 05, 2011, 09:19:09 PM by Dennis Glazener »
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Offline Ky-Flinter

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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2011, 09:43:48 PM »
Hi Bill,

Looks like the markings are balls to the pound.  Here's a link to a listing of the sizes.  http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_GaugeWeight.htm

They show 70 = .405
I'll bet your #2 is 175, which they show as .299

Sorry, I can't help on the dates or regions.  I hope someone will chime in.  Nice collection.  Thanks for sharing.

-Ron
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Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2011, 03:02:40 AM »
Thanks Ron- just what I was looking for.  I also hope someone has some info about styles and origin.
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Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2011, 08:02:49 PM »
Come on, doesn't anyone have some knowledge to share about these bullet molds?
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2011, 08:38:37 PM »
I've seen all of those styles here in Western PA.  I'm not sure you will be
able to identify them by region because each gunsmith made them a
little differently and if they aren't marked with initials or a name, it will
be difficult to tell.  Sorry I can't help.
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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2011, 12:57:49 AM »
Come on, doesn't anyone have some knowledge to share about these bullet molds?
Buy barrels to match those molds and you will never run out of bullets. That;s what I did years aoo and she shoots center

Offline Canute Rex

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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2011, 05:00:54 AM »
70 gauge corresponds to .405

75 > .396

100 > .360

125 > .334

175 > .299

194 > .289

Your "28 or 30" measurements tell me that either you didn't take a micrometer to them, or else that they were out of round. The calibers make sense for a common range of firearms, especially given that standards of precision weren't always what they are today.

I get the impression that molds like these were fairly generic, and that the design stayed much the same for a long time. hard to nail them down except for "American, 19th century."

Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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Re: "Scissor" Bullet Molds
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2011, 08:28:24 AM »
Thanks for the info.  I appreciate the help, not much info out there on these molds.
"We fight not for glory, nor riches nor honors, but for freedom alone, which no good man gives up except with his life.” Declaration of Arbroath, 1320