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Post by hawkeyes on Oct 16, 2021 15:34:00 GMT -7
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Post by spence on Oct 17, 2021 17:12:51 GMT -7
A neat find. It will be interesting to see what size it is and if you can cast some useable balls with it. Let us know. Old molds are fascinating.
Spence
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Oct 17, 2021 17:46:35 GMT -7
This ball mould was found & sent to me by a close friend of mine in Tasmania. It was found near the remains of the early prison. No markings, but at a guess I would say it is about .50 caliber. Keith.  |
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Post by spence on Oct 17, 2021 21:26:17 GMT -7
I have an old one of the type boxed with very early Colt revolvers, and it puzzled me for quite a while. It's brass, casts one roundball and one conical, has a sprue cutoff plate. It has no maker's marks of any kind, so is probably not a Colt mold. All routine, so far, right? But, it is in .28 caliber. I couldn't imagine a gun from the period shooting such a small bullet. It was some time after I got it that I found that Colt's first Paterson revolver and the later side-hammer model of 1855 were both in caliber .28. I couldn't resist casting one of each type, the ball weighs 35.5 grains and the conical 54.4 grains.   Spence |
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Post by hawkeyes on Oct 18, 2021 4:26:54 GMT -7
Fascinating pieces gents! Thank you for sharing. I love the fact each mold is it's own individual design, given the majority of these molds are of various sizes to the exact rifle they were made for. Plan on dressing up the cavity here this evening and running a few through it. I'll keep you posted! I'm still wanting to make a few cherrys for soapstone molds. I've been on the lookout for antique pieces as well, no luck thus far.   The above are my reproduction molds by Larry Callahan, fabulous molds but nothing compared to running ball from an original. Certainly hoping this piece will work for my .32, if not still have to run ball just because it's a must!  Same ball from the above image, one shot win with my Carolina smooth rifle, 35 yards. If this antique mold measures over .310 the plan is to use a loose ball with tow. |
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Post by spence on Oct 18, 2021 7:08:08 GMT -7
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Post by hawkeyes on Oct 18, 2021 9:00:52 GMT -7
One thing I love, and it's missed on my behalf as well in regards to them being HAND FORGED... These cavities are just that, forged by hand with a hand forged cherry, no use of a precise machine. The endgame is a non perfect bullet, yet a non perfect bullet that indeed is precise enough to the get the job done and rather will at that!
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Post by spence on Oct 18, 2021 10:09:52 GMT -7
hawkeyes, one of the most pleasant things I've ever done in our hobby was to go squirrel hunting and fix lunch, but I took no bullets or food. I molded two balls over a small fire using a modern bag mold, shot a squirrel with one and had it for lunch. I really hope your mold will make a ball you can use. I guarantee that if you could do that with your original mold it will be something really special, something you will remember.
Spence
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Post by spence on Oct 18, 2021 10:19:25 GMT -7
The endgame is a non perfect bullet, yet a non perfect bullet that indeed is precise enough to the get the job done and rather will at that! Ah, yes. I'm intrigued by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection. Handmade things are frequently excellent examples, and contribute to a fulfilling life. Spence |
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Post by hawkeyes on Oct 18, 2021 11:40:13 GMT -7
Excellent all around! I'm remaining optimistic that I to will have such an experience to pass along soon!
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