If my understanding is correct, this little jewel would have been made sometime between 1887 (when the "peanut" wood handles were introduced) and 1912 (when S&W discontinued their reloading tools.

Casts four .38-cal. round balls (0.360" dia.), for use in gallery loadings of S&W's blackpowder .38-44 cartridge, as chambered in New Model No.3 Target revolvers. My library is not the most extensive, but the only other example I can find is one for .32-44 on page 218 of "Smith & Wesson, 1857 - 1945" by Neal & Jinks.

Evidently these things are not a commonly encountered item.

Jim

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I suppose I'll need to start looking for a New Model No.3 Target .38-44 to go with this!

Jim

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Question: Are all 4 casting chambers the same diameter? (or do they very a 1/1000th for better fitment?)

Ivan

Have fun and enjoy.

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I haven't done any casting with it yet, so that remains to be seen. But from the measurements I have been able to make of the cavities, I would be very surprised if there was more than "manufacturing tolerance" variation between the four.

Jim

I saw this over on the ARTCA Forum and mentioned that I hadn’t seen it anywhere in any of my reading on S&W reloading tools. Thanks for the citation here as well as the additional pix. I too would have to consider finding a 38-44 Target to go with such a neat find!
Froggie