Bullet Molds

Babalooie · #1 07-30-2011, 12:29 PM

Recently, I acquired several Lyman and Winchester bullet molds. They appear to be quite old and I was wondering if they had collector value.

Here's what I have:

LYMAN # 452460 - 4 CAVITIES - .45 CALIBER - WITH GRIPS

LYMAN # 429421 - 2 CAVITIES - .44 REMINGTON - WITH GRIPS - one wood grip is missing

LYMAN # 57446 - 1 CAVITY - .357 - WITH GRIPS

WINCHESTER - 1 CAVITY - .22 WCF - WITH GRIPS

WINCHESTER - 1 CAVITY - .45 GOV. - WITH GRIPS

WINCHESTER - 1 CAVITY - .44 WCF - WITH GRIPS

All Lyman &Winchester molds have wooden handles.

There's another that is all metal, including the grips. I found markings amid the scratches and nicks:

MASS. ARMS CO - TWO CAVITIES - MAYNARD 1882 .40 CAL #1 & #2 BULLETS

Also, I have what I think is a bullet & primer press in very nice condition, made by Winchester, all tool steel, marked .45 GOV. with 1894 patent date. This item is really nice. Missing the decapper rod.

Finally, there are two ladles with wooden handles, no markings.

Andy Griffith · #2 07-30-2011, 01:28 PM

There are fellers that collect these things to collect them, and yes certain ones are more valuable than others. I believe the Winchester ones bring the most, depending...upon what someone wants to pay. I don't think there is a value guide for these thing- so it's just what the market will bear. I think your #7446 is a .357 SWC bullet.

There is a chart on old Ideal/Lyman moulds listed on another website, and here's the link:

Ol' Buffalo Bullet Mold Tables

Sounds like you got a good haul, and you could make some nice bullets with those- if not, put them up for auction and hopefully some casters can get them running again instead of sitting in a collector's box somewhere.

Is there any rust in the cavities? Most old moulds not stored with bullets in them or waxed or oiled can be rusted and pitted terribly prohibiting use.

longranger · #3 07-30-2011, 02:40 PM

Pictures would really help to identify what their worth. As stated previously the Winchester stuff will bring the most $ if selling them is the plan.
.45 Gov. is 45-70, I would interested in that if you are looking to part company with it.

mtgianni · #4 07-30-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalooie

Recently, I acquired several Lyman and Winchester bullet molds. They appear to be quite old and I was wondering if they had collector value.

Here's what I have:

LYMAN # 452460 - 4 CAVITIES - .45 CALIBER [common mold $65 in good shape + $25 for handles]

LYMAN # 429421 - 1 CAVITY - .44 REMINGTON [also common $35-$45 + $15 for handles]

LYMAN # 7446 - 1 CAVITY - NOT SURE [probably 357446 no longer made, not highly sought after. probably $25-$35 + $15 for handles]

WINCHESTER - 1 CAVITY - .22 WCF [collector value to Win nuts exceeds useable value for all win molds]

WINCHESTER - 1 CAVITY - .45 GOV.

WINCHESTER - 1 CAVITY - .44 WCF

All Lyman &Winchester molds have wooden handles.

There's another that is all metal, including the grips. It has no markings.

Also, I have what I think is a bullet & primer press in very nice condition, made by Winchester, all tool steel, marked .45 GOV. with 1894 patent date. This item is really nice.

Finally, there are two ladles with wooden handles, no markings.

Can anyone help me determine the age and value of the above items?

Thanks.

Ideal molds were changed to Lyman markings in the late 50's early 60's. Yours are after that date. Pics would help on the ladles but generally they are $10 used @ gun shows. I can't help with the Win items but believe that collectable value exceeds useable value on those items.

Andy Griffith · #5 07-30-2011, 04:21 PM

I just forgot to say one thing- what similar moulds are found priced online may or may not reflect what the market will bear on the moulds. I just looked and it seems to be all over the place- likely depending on if someone wants the exact mould or not.

Not much help, but that's what I found.

Babalooie · #6 07-30-2011, 04:38 PM

Mold # 7446 has a very weak '5' in front of it, making it, 57446.

Thanks for everyone's input so far. I'll try to post photos as soon as I can.

Once I figure out what I have and can put fair prices on them, I'll plan on posting them in our classifieds section.

I'm not going to be looking to make a killing on them and would rather see a person (preferably forum member) get them and make use of them. That Winchester capper/bullet press is quite interesting to me. It is extremely well made and operates as smooth as butter. I might have to keep it.

Babalooie · #7 07-30-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Griffith

I just forgot to say one thing- what similar moulds are found priced online may or may not reflect what the market will bear on the moulds. I just looked and it seems to be all over the place- likely depending on if someone wants the exact mould or not.

Not much help, but that's what I found.

I saw some Winchester molds posted in the $200+ range. Seemed a bit much to me, although they are very well made and appear more attractive than the Lyman versions.

Skip Sackett · #8 07-30-2011, 04:56 PM

You might want to check here too:

Historical Mold References

Mould references from a bunch of manufacturers.

nicky4968 · #9 07-30-2011, 05:44 PM

These nice people can offer you a lot of information on your molds. Some may want to buy your molds (at a fair price, of course).

Cast Boolits - Dedicated To The World Of Cast Bullets!

Babalooie · #10 07-31-2011, 12:08 AM

I found the manufacturer's name amid the scratches and nicks. The all metal mold was made by the Massachusetts Arms Co. of Chicopee, Mass.

I found one on the internet with photos. It is a Maynard 1882 .40 caliber # 1 & # 2 bullet mold.

GLL · #11 07-31-2011, 12:32 AM

The value of the 429421 would, to me at least, be dependent on whether the lube groove was "square" or "rounded". I prefer the "square" version. The bullet profile has varied a lot through the years !

Jerry

Babalooie · #12 07-31-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLL

The value of the 429421 would, to me at least, be dependent on whether the lube groove was "square" or "rounded". I prefer the "square" version. The bullet profile has varied a lot through the years !

Jerry

The one I have is rounded

Frank46 · #13 07-31-2011, 03:18 AM

Your maynard 1882 40 caliber #1 and#2 bullet mold might be the mold you may realize the most money on. If you can do pics post them on the assra.com website. A lot of the gents there shoot these rifles and collect molds and old loading tools. It might be worth your time and trouble to post over there just for curiosity's sake. One never knows. Frank

Babalooie · #14 07-31-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank46

Your maynard 1882 40 caliber #1 and#2 bullet mold might be the mold you may realize the most money on. If you can do pics post them on the assra.com website. A lot of the gents there shoot these rifles and collect molds and old loading tools. It might be worth your time and trouble to post over there just for curiosity's sake. One never knows. Frank

Thanks Frank46. I'll try that.

Babalooie · #15 08-01-2011, 01:31 AM

Here are the photos of the Massachusetts Arms Co. Maynard 1882 .40 Cal. #1 & #2:

.

Babalooie · #16 08-01-2011, 11:14 PM

Added photos to first post