GALLERY VS MULTI-BALL BUCKSHOT BULLET MOLDS

[BMur]

Smith & Wesson introduced a GALLERY bullet mold in approximately 1886 with the TARGET NM3. It was at this time that the improved reloading kit included both a conical and round ball bullet mold (aka Peanut mold). Also included in the kit was two powder scoops. One was specifically designed for a very light GALLERY LOAD for indoor target shooting. That was the commercial concept.

PRIOR to the GALLERY COMMERCIAL CONCEPT the Military had introduced a multi-ball “BUCKSHOT” brass gang mold for Military use in the Springfield rifle/carbine, Colt 45 SAA, and the Schofield revolver.

THESE ARE NOT GALLERY MOLDS!

I’d just like to see the Gallery identifier removed from Military Multi-Ball molds. They were not Gallery molds. VERY FAR FROM IT!

Photos depict the Frankford Arsenal “BUCKSHOT” molds that were actually issued and recorded as such in Military records. They were used heavily during the Indian Wars in both the Rifle/Carbine and pistols from 1879-1904. Military personnel would hand load as trained buckshot loads in these firearms mentioned.

A quote from various Cavalry officers in documented Military records from the early 1880’s;

THE MULTI-BALL CARTRIDGE INCREASES THE EFFECTIVE (DESTRUCTIVE) RANGE OF THE PISTOL GREATLY.

Murph

 

[BMur]

Gatling gun

I forgot to mention the GATLING GUN
Early and late Frankford Arsenal brass Gang molds in both 45 cal and 30 cal were also used to reload the Gatling gun with buckshot. See photo.

The later 30 cal Brass gang mold was used to reload for The Colt 30 cal Gatling gun purchased by the U.S. Army in 1895. Both early 45cal and late 30 cal Gatling guns came standard with the optional Buckshot cartridge rounds. The U S Army hand loaded those rounds as well.

Imagine if Custer had a Gatling gun loaded with buckshot loads at the Little Big Horn.

Murph

 

[rct269]

Speaking of bullet molds, here's what to do with the end product from some of them---those that make a ball and a "regular" bullet----those intended for the NM #3 Targets---or so I'm told.

The loads for the 32-44: 11 grains of powder behind the 83 grain round nose bullet, or 6 grains of powder behind the 50 grain ball.

For the 38-44: 20 grains of powder behind the 146 grain round nose bullet, or 6 grains of powder behind the 70 grain ball.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[BMur]

1893 Gang mold

I just purchased this late Frankford Arsenal Gang mold in rare 45cal. This is 1 of 17 issued in that year and represents the last documented in the Military records “as issued” Brass 4 cavity 45cal Gang mold.

The records clearly list 406 Fabricated in 45cal in 1880 and issued gradually over the next 14 years.

Just to put them in perspective. If the molds were used collectively just 100 times they would have molded 162,400 bullets. Gang molds are very productive.
I’ve used 38,44, and 45 cal Ideal 4 cavity gang molds to hand load my Smith & Wesson Revolvers. They are very fast and the output is amazing once you get into the groove. When I use them I mold no less than 50 rounds which produces 200 bullets or 4 boxes of 50.

Murph

 

[BMur]

War Department Approved

You can clearly see the Military was well versed at Buckshot loads after 1868 in literally every caliber weapon. By 1879 when reloading kits and bullet molds were issued throughout the frontier a buckshot reload and often directly loaded at the arsenals was included in standard available loads for all weapons of that era.

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


The U.S. Army only had a passing fancy with the buck -n'-ball
loadings. It did make it to the trials stage but the mold presented
casts a cylindrical ball but the illustrations show that the three balls
used were not completely cylindrical. There were flats on the balls
where they butt against each other in the cartridge. I would expect
a mold for casting those balls to have the corresponding flats as
depicted in the illustration.

Those flats were for shortening the "shot" column and would
prevent loss of space for the powder charge. Also, I would im-
agine the flats would aid in loading (because the flats would
inhibit the balls from rolling around).


Cheers!
Webb

 

[BMur]

Military Records

Military records confirm their use in the field.
The molds are extremely rare today but are clearly documented as issued in the records.
The 4 cavity mold I purchased is the second mold that I’ve seen in 45 cal. Not a lot of them out there that have survived.
Ordnance records also list a large number of lead balls both round and conical issued during that period so actual molding of the balls would likely have been only when supplies were depleted from The Frankford Arsenal. The posts were normally well supplied with reloading tools, and supplies as needed.
Also Calvary officers commented on their use “in the field” as very effective.
Ordnance Department comments were limited to pine board performance and also clearly stated that their tests were incomplete.
The records reflect the issuance of round ball molds both pistol and rifle after the trials were completed.

Murph