Inherited a New Hobby

[jlgurr]

Thank you for the advice, I won't be plating it now but will make sure it doesn't get any more rust on it.

Grandpa had a 45 ACP so I have a friend who can loan me a cartridge to see if this is for a 45 since I don't have that caliber yet. A 38 special seems to be too small for the tool although that's what I thought it was for.

 

[jlgurr]

Well, it's not for a 45...

Found "W. 38" stamped on it near that 45 degree radius. The casting cavity measures 0.39" on the largest section.

Contacting the antique collectors site today.

Sent from my iPhone 2.0 using TractorByNet

 

[fishman]

Cast Boolits is THE place to learn about casting. Lots of helpful folks there who also reload and know a lot about old presses and moulds. It's where I spend a lot of my "net" time now. I am a long-time member of TBN but don't contribute here like I used to. I still love tractoring, but reloading and casting is enjoyable and there is always something new to learn or try.

 

[k0ua]

James,

You are correct and I thank you for the referred web sites as well. Below is a response from the Antique Reloaders Group.

Jeff


_____________________________________

Jeff:

That is a Marlin Model 1881 combination tool; one of the earliest - if not the earliest - all-in-one cartridge reloading tools. If you have access to the "TOOLS" section on this website, look it up and you will find a tabulation of serial numbers for these. Your #2578 is not listed (and should be added), but falls in the range assigned to the .38 Winchester (.38-40), which matches the caliber stamped on your tool.

The tool was designed and patented by John M. Browning, who made a few of them, and then assigned the patent to Marlin:


It can be used for reloading, though the decapping pin (Fig. 4 in the patent illustration) seems - as usual - to be missing. (it does have the pin and "scoop" for the older Berdan primers). But with that mass of metal to heat and keep hot, I wouldn't want to try casting with it without a stout pair of welding gloves!

You have a nice - and relatively scarce and desirable - early reloading tool there; it'd be well worth looking for a .38-40 Marlin rifle to go with it. Mine is in .45-70, and goes with a battered but sound Marlin-Ballard No. 5 "Pacific" in that caliber.

Congratulations on your find.

Doug

I wondered about that "scoop" and thought it might be for Berdan primers. Interestingly enough, the Berdan system was invented by an American but is used primarily int Europe, and the Boxer system was invented by a Brit, and is used over here. Is there any indication what that combination tool is worth. i guess like all antiques it is worth what someone would pay, but if it was mine, I might try to sell it and buy a modern reloading machine.

 

[jlgurr]

I wondered about that "scoop" and thought it might be for Berdan primers. Interestingly enough, the Berdan system was invented by an American but is used primarily int Europe, and the Boxer system was invented by a Brit, and is used over here. Is there any indication what that combination tool is worth. i guess like all antiques it is worth what someone would pay, but if it was mine, I might try to sell it and buy a modern reloading machine.

Good point, working on the value portion next. Since grandpa didn't have any 38-40's in his collection this tool may have no real sentimental value now. If the collector value is of any significance it may find a new home.