"RARE" 32-44 Target reloading kit

BMur · #1 10-13-2020, 05:54 PM

I posted this in the Antique section and Nobody seems to have seen it before....Wondering if the reloading section has seen this kit before?

I just got this in the mail. Story from the seller is this 90 year old gentleman passed last year. He found this at the Estate sale in a storage room on a lower shelf.

I'm amazed at the condition but more so that it basically shouldn't exist...This is the earlier design kit( Pre-1887 ) with the instructions on the outer lid. Green box with Pumpkin Orange label but its for a 32-44 Target New Model 3? That doesn't make sense to me since the Target variation was introduced in 1887 the exact same year that the "Improved Kit" was cataloged by Smith & Wesson( see last photo ).... So, I'm thinking that it's a transitional kit. Check out the two molds? In 1887 it should be a peanut mold, two dies, longer box, etc. I've also never seen a target bullet in one of the earlier iron molds!

I believe that all the parts are original to this kit.

Has anyone seen one of these before?

Murph

Ivan the Butcher · #2 10-13-2020, 07:32 PM

Wow!

Ivan

quinn · #3 10-13-2020, 07:41 PM

That is really great!. I'm not familiar with that particular kit, but back in the days of my single shot rifle collection we used similar kits and home-made versions thereof. We often added a small burner to heat the used brass to re-anneal it as some of the brass was incredibly rare. As chamber pressures were low and brass rarely got stretched these systems work great. Yours is worthy of any reloading tool collection!

mtgianni · #4 10-14-2020, 10:23 AM

What a great find. Add me to the others who have never seen one like that.
I especially like the two powder dippers with the two molds. I would say it is almost definitely made for black powder.

Green Frog · #5 10-14-2020, 10:41 AM

Hey Murph, I just did the math. Even if the 90 year old guy started reloading as a child, that gear was at least 40 years or more old when he started, so either he got it from his grandfather, or some other second hand means. With the Type II bullet moulds and the plain steel primer punch, I think you’re right about it being transitional or maybe even a set S&W assembled from older and newer parts they had on the shelf. Regardless, it’s very interesting.

Froggie

BMur · #6 10-14-2020, 03:20 PM

Hey Charlie,
I agree. I also thought about the timeline. The seller was in New Hampshire so it makes sense that where it was found is where its been for the last 133 years! Stored in a nice cool/dry basement? The round ball mold looks like it was used but the conical mold is basically mint. Which is also very interesting...Why would this person only shoot the ball round?

In actual fact the kit came with more parts that I haven't posted yet...The parts I posted are what I believe to be original "in the box"... but it also came with a small very cool screw driver...Old Whiskey bottle handle and a "bullet" measuring micrometer. I've seen this type of meter before that is specifically designed to measure bullets for accurate shooting. It's range is .300-.455...Nothing higher or lower.

The small screwdriver is stamped with a New York maker and the micrometer is also stamped with a rare maker I believe was also in New York. I searched for them both and turned up nothing. So, likely this kit was purchased from a Distributor in New York originally in about late 1886? Or early 1887 before the New Improved kit was made?

Pure guess on how the kit ended up in New Hampshire? I wonder if the 90 year old guy was related to one of the early target shooters of that era? Too bad I can't get more information from the seller.

Murph

BMur · #7 10-14-2020, 03:41 PM

Here are some photo's of the additional tools that came with the sale of the kit.

I like the Whiskey bottle screwdriver and the unique micrometer....Notice the range is specific to bullet measuring?

Murph

vonn · #8 10-14-2020, 07:39 PM

Great looking tools that I would like to see if they work as labeled. Interesting post!

ddixie884 · #9 10-14-2020, 09:41 PM

This is so kool. Congrats on your find. I'm figure it won't get lost again for a while......