Just out of curiosity, can someone give me the approximate time frame that a mould might have been made.
It is in an orange cardboard box with the metal reinforcement on the corners. The box says Lyman Ideal but the mould itself is stamped “Ideal” and then “Middlefield Ct.".
If it helps any, it is a single cavity 257382.
Attached Files
I WOULD TEND TO AGREE WITH OLD TURTLE. I REMEMBER SEEING THE ORANGE BOXES ON THE RETAIL MARKET IN THE OLD DAYS...(I'M 71) BUT NOT IN THE SIXTIES.
DOCBOB
Attached Files
The Lyman 358311 is the standard 160 round nose bullet for the .38 Special.
Dale53
Attached Files
I am new to this board but it appears that Lyman still had some old Ideal molds around as late as the early 70s. I custom ordered 319289 which is an old 32-40 schutzen bullet. I have used this mold quite alot but just noticed it is marked Ideal. I recently bought some old molds at a gun show and they were in the little orange boxes with the metal corners. I would guess they are no later then the 50s. I am 72 and have been casting for 40+ years. Still learning.
Attached Files
One way to date a lyman mould is if it has venting lines. I believe these first came out in the 1950s. I believe they are a maketing tool. One of the first moulds I have is a single cavity for 375499, the standard ideal 375 h&h mag bullet. I bought it in 1950. it has no vent lines and still casts like a dream. another way is when did double cavity moulds appear. I think about 1960s.
I have another lyman for 225438, the lorven 22 hornet bullet. I bought it in a store in boise in1956 or 57. it has no vent lines. I have anther for elmers 45 colt bullet tha thas vent lines I bought from a large supplier in 1953, I believe. all are single cavity. the 45 has vent lines.
I did have several single cavity 30 cal moulds I bought from 1947 10 1950 that I no longer have all were without vent lines.
Jim Wilcox
Attached Files
Mould was made by Ideal, or Marlin when they owned the company, prior to Lyman purchasing them in the 1920's. It was made for the 32 S&W or 32 S&W Long. If you are interested in a trade or selling it, please PM me. HTH, Ric
Attached Files
Some of you guys that can identify older molds, I have a mold with no name stamped on it for a 95gr 32 cal bullet, single cavity. the mold block and handles are one piece. Only stamping's are 313226 at the front on the right side and 198 at the back on the right side.
Attached Files
This just arrived from Lyman:
I gave them the sketchy details I started with. Go Lyman!
Attached Files
if i can help i have a 31146 single cavity mold the box is marqued 7,65 usd when a mold cost that ?
Attached Files
Actually, I described it as a 158 grain. Although it might actually cast bullets at that weight due to manufacturing tolerances, or the selection of casting alloy. Duane
Attached Files
Thanks Duane!
cherry number? That's too funny...sounds too much detail, as they say!
Attached Files
I figured some of you old guys would remember when those orange carboard boxes were used, or stopped being used.
I have two single cavity molds in the orange boxes; they were purchased in the early 60s.
Jim
Attached Files
The Cherry is the tool made to cut the cavity in the mold blocks.
Attached Files
046 should be the cherry number
Cherry number?
LOL, what's that?
For those interested, I just posted a bunch of casting equipment under buy/sell/trade.
Attached Files
If “046” is on each half of the mould, it is the assembly number for the mould halves. If the “358” and “311” are on the same line, but separated by about six blank spaces, it is just a style of marking form the late 1930's; 358” recommended sizing diameter and 311 cherry number. HTH, Ric
Attached Files
Thanks for the heads up on “ideal” "middlefield Conn” is now Lyman.
I just found an unmark Ideal mould. Looks like a 9mm RN. Double well.
There is no box. The mold says “.358” on the left; 311 on the right; and 046 in the middle on another line.
Anyone know what that means?
My SWAG would be the corresponding RCBS numbers.
size, shape and grain would be most helpful!
This may not be the correct id, but it was helpful:
.358 is the sizing die needed
311 is the top punch needed
and the 046???
Attached Files
Thanks for the heads up on “ideal” "middlefield Conn” is now Lyman.
I just found an unmark Ideal mould. Looks like a 9mm RN. Double well.
There is no box. The mold says “.358” on the left; 311 on the right; and 046 in the middle on another line.
Anyone know what that means?
My SWAG would be the corresponding RCBS numbers.
size, shape and grain would be most helpful!
Attached Files
Lyman bought Ideal in 1925. I'm only guessing, but I would think they dropped the 'Ideal' part of the name before too long after that, maybe ten years? I have a few of those molds in the same boxes and my guess is they are pre WWII, maybe made in the thirties. Not much of an answer but it's the best one yet! If you find out more I'd like to know.
Attached Files
I take it you don't know when Lyman used the orange cardboard boxes either?
Over 700 views and no answer, must be a tougher question than I originally thought.
Attached Files
As an “older” fella, I understand Mr. Perry's remarks on persons finding data on their own, all too often, it seems that a lot of people, mostly “greenhorn” if you will, ask before searching on their own.
One of the problems with being a green horn is not knowing where to look.
I have spent considerable time unsuccessfully using engines to find information. Most of the time the cause for the lack of results is I did not use the correct terminology. Once I found the terminology, the searches were much easier to find.
The hardest part of learning something new is gaining the initial knowledge.
Dave
Attached Files
John Carlson
22
Bud Hyett
21
linoww
17
MP1886
13
MarkinEllensburg
10
drone
9
beltfed
6
Lucky1
6
Eutectic
6
Aaron
5
