Vintage Winchester mold for .50-70

[John S.]

WINCHESTER BULLET MOLD (4th MODEL) "GOV .50" CALIBER - Note that this is not marked with the Winchester name, but is identical in construction to the Winchester 4th Model molds, so I am assuming it was made by Winchester, or whoever made the molds for Winchester. Except for perhaps a few Model 1885 single shot rifles, I don’t think Winchester sold any guns chambered in .50 Government (.50-70), but they certainly would have been agreeable to selling reloading tools if they thought they could make money doing it. Condition as shown in the photos, and nice to add to a display of arms in this caliber. My guess is that the date is probably mid 1870s when the fourth model molds were first introduced, as the earlier 3rd models were only marked with the caliber, but not the Winchester name. $135.00 including shipping

50Mold.jpg (52.07 KiB) Viewed 2732 times

[Jim]

I’m just curious here . . . .
Do you suppose this mold was made from a machined casting . . . .or from a machined billet?

[Tom Trevor]

I believe the were hot hammer forged then machined to final form. This was a common practice in the era they were produced.

[kenneth]

And what I find interesting is that it's a bottom fill.

[teamopitu69]

What is the bullet diameter?

[teamopitu69]

And is it still in working order? My lee mold for my 50-70 cast a bit too small

[Tom Trevor]

Mine runs .512. Fine for a modern barrel but small for an original.