Winchester Bullet Molds

Shortly after the 44 WCF hit the markets, Winchester offered factory swage bullets, but for those that desired to cast their own, Winchester offered a casting mold. Just like most everything else, over the years...designs changed thus collectors now days call them First, Second, Third, etc. I don't want to get too caught up in all the different kinds so I will only mention a few. Over on Antique Arms Inc., one can find such examples.

1873

No reloading hand tools are noted in Winchester's 1873 catalog. The next catalog was not published until 1875. No photos or discretions noted, just a list of what was available.

This 1st Model mold was a "Scissor-handled" mold, it casts a smooth bullet with no grease grooves.  I am uncertain who manufactured these molds. Some say Winchester and some say Sharps made them for Winchester. This mold may be the Sharps. Winchester's 1875 catalog seems to indicate that a separate swage tool could have been custom ordered during that time.

This 2nd Model is just like the 1st but with a wood handle...but again, shows the 45-70 smooth lubeless bullet.

This 3rd Model mold is more conventional but made of brass. It lacked the wood handles. One can also be seen over at sellatiquearms.com. Note that this mold looks just like the factory swage bullets. Two "square" grease grooves and a smooth transition to the ogive (round nose) profile. No crimp groove nor an acute forward driving band like the Lyman 427098. I will touch more on that shortly. 

This is actually a 3rd and 4th Model "look-a-like" made by Bridgeport BGI - Gun & Implement Co. I think it was Bridgeport that work alongside Marlin and UMC.

However, this mold drops a bullet just like the Winchester factory bullet, unlike the Winchester 4th model, this mold does NOT incorporate a "raised" forward driving band like the Lyman 42798.

1882

The 4th Model (about 1882) was like the third but made from steel or iron rather than brass. It incorporates a forward driving band like the Lyman 42798 mold but not as defined. It looks as if it tapers into the ogive rather than being squared off. 

The 5th Model appears to look just like the 4th but with wood handles.

Appears to be an original Winchester swaged bullet from a box of Winchester Swaged Reloading Bullets 

This bullet is in a Winchester Swaged bullet box BUT has smooth round lube grooves, rather than the swage cannelure  indicating it may be a cast bullet by at least a 4th model mold. I also notice a more prominent forward driving band and longer nose. 

The earlier brass model molds have square grooves but no prominent forward driving band. I designed the Accurate Mold 43-214A to resemble this bullet but it has round grooves and is a tad longer like the 427098.

MARLIN's Handloading and casting tool. There is not much to go one with Marlin's tools. Here is an example of an 1881 early tool but for a 45-70.

Appears to be an original Winchester swaged bullet from a box of Winchester Swaged Reloading Bullets