SERIAL NUMBERS? Peanut molds

[BMur]

I just picked up this somewhat rare 32-44 Peanut mold. I was starting to clean it up when I noticed the typical matching numbers under the Walnut scales were 4 digit. Most that I recall seeing were 2 or 3 digit. I always assumed that they were assembly numbers.
However, in the Neil & Jinks book on page 216 they list SERIAL NUMBER STAMPED under the wood grip. Assuming this is correct it would be possible to get an idea of how many were actually made?
Maybe those who have peanut molds can carefully remove one scale and post the number they find?

Murph

 

[Boulder350]

Murph,

I don't know much about the peanut molds. I have one in 32 caliber that has a longer bullet than yours and has a very similar nose shape. I measured the back of the bullet mold and it appears to be .316. The serial number on mine is 150

 

[BMur]

Thanks Mark,
The only other tool of that period that was serial numbered I believe was the Marlin. I’ve seen those up to about 8000 serial number.

I’m surprised to see the 1781 number on the 32-44 mold. It suggests these tools were numbered without caliber separation from beginning of production to end but we’d need a lot more examples tallied.

Also, if that were true the 38 special peanut molds should have high serial numbers since they weren’t introduced until 1899. I’ll have to check mine.

If I find lower serial numbers on a 38 special tool then obviously they were serial numbered separately. Each caliber beginning with 1.

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Well, you've got me curious so I pulled the grips off my .38 S&W mold.
My serial number is: 2462. See pics.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[BMur]

Wow,
That’s amazing Webb.
That pretty much solidifies these numbers are definitely serial numbers not assembly numbers.
So now all we really need to know is the highest number we can find and also if they were numbered in sequence by individual caliber or all together as produced without caliber influence from about late 1887-1907ish. So about 20 years of production. 1907 represents the year Smith & Wesson guaranteed their firearms for smokeless use which would have rendered these black powder tools obsolete.
I think the 38 M&P and late 32 Hand ejector will help us out a lot. I will look at my complete kits today and post results.

Marks 32 is obviously a very early tool. It would date to 1887/1888.

Murph

 

[BMur]

Ok,
I just looked at my 3 complete kits having peanut molds.
This brings the serial numbers up to over 5000!
Also, notice the different die stamps on the later post 1896 32 Hand Ejector kit? Also the low serial number?
That basically proves that each caliber started with serial number 1. So they were serial numbered separately based on caliber applied to the tool.
Very interesting study.

So over 5000 peanut molds manufactured for the 38 S&W caliber alone!
I’m totally amazed!
You can also see that the label changed on the late kits.

Murph

 

[Modelof1891]

I looked at some of my pictures from 11-2019, which seems like a few months ago, I see these numbers, 37, 511, 2271, 2935, and 5024.
I did not log the calibers with the pics.
I found the first numbers and had to oil and check them all.

 

[BMur]

I have a few more peanut molds in storage. I’ll look at them when I have time and post the info.
Since the 32 & 38 S&W were the most popular calibers during the Black powder Era one would expect to see the highest serial numbers from those molds.
You can see from the photos that the Smith & Wesson reloading tools were definitely competitive in both price and quality when compared to Ideal tools. They also offered two type bullets (round & conical) vs one with Ideal tools, and a huge benefit is the insulated handles on the peanut molds.

Murph

 

[TripleLock]

The numbers on the three peanut moulds I have:

416 - part of a boxed set of .38 Military & Police (.38 Special) loading tools. Casts a 158gr RN and a RB;

630 - .38 S&W. Casts a 148gr RN and a RB;

238 - .38 S&W, maybe .38-44? Four-cavity: two on top, two on bottom. Casts four RB.

Jim

 

[BMur]

Thanks Jim,
I’ll have time on Monday to post the remaining peanut molds I have.

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I noticed something about the boxes the reloading tools
came in. There is a slight difference in the end label on the
box. I don't know which of the two boxes came first but I
offer it as a bit of esoteric knowledge.

In the first pic, the diagonal lines used to delineate the lines
on the box describing the contents are leaning the same way
in both lines.

And in the second pic, the diagonal lines used to delineate
the description lean in opposite directions.

Cheers!
Webb

 

[TripleLock]

And then there are the labels with NO diagonals between the lines

Jim

 

[BMur]

Finally got a chance to look at some additional Peanut molds. One 32 S&W cal with a higher serial # (2137) and a 38M&P with a very low number# (25).
So this relatively small survey actually confirms over 10,000 total made between all calibers and this is obviously way low.
However, it definitely is enlightening. I had no idea.
We have not included any 44 Russian, 38-44, or 4 ball molds for smaller and larger calibers. So quite a few more were made.
I think this also supports just how many folks were reloading ammo back in the day!

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Do you think there was a separate serial number range
for each caliber or mold type?

Cheers!
Web

 

[BMur]

Webb,
This survey is too small to be certain of much. It’s possible mold type could play a part. I think we would need at least 100 examples documented before a more significant pattern would develop.
The low 25 serial number on the post 1898 38 M&P mold along with the lower number on the post 1896 32 Hand ejector supports the theory that these were numbered by individual caliber beginning with 1.
Also Jim’s gang mold (4 cavity ball) serial number makes sense as a low production design. There is a distinct pattern here but not absolute.
Like most small surveys it leaves us with many questions unanswered.
I’m just amazed at the high number produced. Gives us an idea about other manufacturers output and how extremely popular reloading was. It also suggests that pistol caliber reloading was very popular. That also surprises me.
When compared to the serial numbers found on Marlin (rifle caliber) tools? The pistols seem to outnumber them by a lot.



Murph

 

[danalex]

Hello everyone, here are the numbers of my molds:
Cal 44 n° 669
Cal 44 n° 1207
Cal 38 n° 2202
Cal 32 n° 1468

 

[BMur]

Thank You Danalex,
Your serial numbers continue to support the theory that the molds were serial numbered by individual caliber beginning with 1.
The 44 cal Russian is quite scarce today and your numbers support this position.
Why the 44 cal was less popular in my opinion was due to the overall size making it difficult to carry concealed.

Also commenting on the 1700 serial number range found on the 32-44 Target peanut mold also actually makes sense as Target shooters were and are avid reloaders.

Murph

 

[danalex]

I have a few more peanut molds in storage. I’ll look at them when I have time and post the info.
Since the 32 & 38 S&W were the most popular calibers during the Black powder Era one would expect to see the highest serial numbers from those molds.
You can see from the photos that the Smith & Wesson reloading tools were definitely competitive in both price and quality when compared to Ideal tools. They also offered two type bullets (round & conical) vs one with Ideal tools, and a huge benefit is the insulated handles on the peanut molds.

Murph
View attachment 755955View attachment 755957View attachment 755956

Ideal Reloading Tools also made a tool for the 38-44 target

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I recently received another "peanut" mold (this one in .32).
I removed the handles and the serial number is: 392

Cheers!
Webb