Historic Winchester Handloading Tools
Winchester’s .44 W.C.F. & Marlin / U.M.C.‘s .44- 40
44 Winchester Vintage
Handloading Tools
Things that make ya go hmmmmm
Winchester seems to offer their first 73' handloading tool; patented Oct 20th, 1874, in their 1875 catalog. Much like my writing skills, Winchester's is a bit hard to follow at times but here is what I interpret....
The interesting part of the add is the availability of factory bullets and the comparison of accuracy claims between the two.
Winchester writes..."Where it is desired to have a more perfect cartridge than can be made with a simple cast bullet, the best course is, if practicable, to purchase the machine swaged bullets, having grooves to receive the lubricating compound, from the manufactures; but, where this can not be done, a very perfect bullet can be made in hand swages, furnished to order. For ordinary use, however, it is found that the cast bullet will answer."
Hand swage tools furnished to order? I have yet to see one of these "swage tools". I have seen, however, the first style casting mold. A single handle, possible "for ordinary use", one piece mold that did not provide the lube grooves.
Top -Early 44 Casting Mold
Bottom - Early loading tool
"Buck Stinson" collection
Winchester believed these cast bullets with no lube grooves could certainly hold their on in finding the target. If one did not want to cast their own bullets, or wanted better accuracy...they could purchase Winchester's factory Swaged bullets.
1st Style Bullet Mold included with the loading tool (bottom tool)
"Buck Stinson" collection
So if you had at least one of the three; factory swaged, tool swaged or plain ole hand cast bullets...the shooter should be happy with the results.
"Buck Stinson" collection
Swaged bullets from an 1875 era Winchester Factory Box
Images courtesy of Bob, "1873man", Winchester Collectors Association
"Buck Stinson" collection
Grooved" bullets...Unsure of the year or authenticity of the bullets but the label looks to be an early 1900's era design. The box could be 1912-1915 but Winchester started dating their label changes in 1906 and I do not see a code or date.
However, the bullet looks to be more in line with Winchester's last hand cast design bullet mold or Lyman's 42798 design...note the smooth lube grooves.
courtesy of Bob, "1873man", Winchester Collectors Association
Jules Garcia Collection
Pre-1905 Model 1880 Instructions, Courtesy Jim Martin
Post-1905 Model 1880 Instructions, Courtesy Jim Martin
