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Thread: Marlin Firearms Co. Casting/Reloading Tool

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Marlin Firearms Co. Casting/Reloading Tool

    Hey Everyone,

    I am going to attempt uploading some pics of a tool that was with some reloading equipment of my grandfathers. It's a Marlin tool and has a PAT. OCT 4 1881 date on it. The casting part of it seems pretty straightforward. The largest diameter of the casting mold measures 0.40". There is a W.38 stamped on it also but still not clear what caliber it is. Maybe if I could find some description of what all these holes and bevels are for on it this would give more clues. If anyone has seen something like this feel free to share how all these things work. It looks like the swiss army knife of reloading tools.

    Thank you,
    Jeff

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  2. #2
    Boolit Master

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    38-40 should be the caliber.

    762
    Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
    My amendment can beat up your amendment.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
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    +1 to 762 shooter. They would have marked it 38 W or WCF to avoid using the whole name of their biggest competitor. Also, it has the pick type de-capper for Berdan primer removal, and apparently a "station" to re-cap and one for bullet sizing. It must be a very early one or meant for the European market. I can't tell from your close ups exactly how everything is laid out, but it probably will also seat the bullet as well. You are right, these early tong tools were sort of the "Swiss Army knives" of reloading.

    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
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    And in case you do not know, the 38WCF or 38-40 uses a 40 caliber bullet, not a .38. Don't bother asking, nobody knows.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

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    True. The 38-40 Winchester is a 150 year old 40 S&W.

    762
    Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
    My amendment can beat up your amendment.

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
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    That's very interesting. Thank you all for your help.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
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    I just posted a picture of mine on the Ideal No. 6 thread. The Marlin Fire Arms Reloading Tool was patented by John M. Browning and his brother Matthew (U.S. 247,881). It deprimed Boxer primers, as well as the Berdan ones, but typically those decapping pins are lost. It would seat either type. According to Chamberlain's book, the second hole in the handle with the big plunger was a wad cutter rather than a boolit sizer. The book also has a copy of Marlin's instructions for use. All the tools were serial numbered.

    Could you show a picture of the mould cavity? The .38-40 should have a rather stubby boolit. That's a lot of tool to load such a small cartridge, although there is one that is marked "44W" as well.

  8. #8
    Boolit Mold
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    Click image for larger version. 

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    I cast a boolit from Hot Glue...

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
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    That's it, all right. The .38-40 Winchester. The Antique Reloading Tool Collectors' Association has a web site which includes a roster of Marlin 1881 tools, with calibers and serial numbers. If you want to add your example to the roster, log onto the ARTCA Site and get onto [Website / Tools / Marlin & Ballard / Marlin 1881 Database].

    Chamberlain notes that the highest number recorded was 7088, so there aren't a lot of them out there. They were made like guns, of precision-machined and finished steel forgings. Truly the Holy Grail for a tong tool collector.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wayne Smith View Post
    And in case you do not know, the 38WCF or 38-40 uses a 40 caliber bullet, not a .38. Don't bother asking, nobody knows.
    I dunno either but in the strictest sense ".38-40" is actually a .40-38, which I believe was Winchesters original load.
    Warning: I know Judo. If you force me to prove it I'll shoot you.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    Red baron, you visiting from tractorbynet.com? Welcome to the site and I will warn you that if you stick around you will have a new hobby. That's not a bad thing sometimes. Lots of good help here as you can see.
    "Is all this REALLY necessary?"

  12. #12
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fishman View Post
    Red baron, you visiting from tractorbynet.com? Welcome to the site and I will warn you that if you stick around you will have a new hobby. That's not a bad thing sometimes. Lots of good help here as you can see.
    Yea, its me. They call me JLGurr over there. How neat to meet someone from there on this forum too.

    Jeff

  13. #13
    Boolit Master enfield's Avatar
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    Those old reloaders are fun, I take them in the woods with BP and other components and load on the fly. the ones I have are Ideal and Winchester tools but very similar to the one you have. Don't be afraid to use it.

    hey, watch where ya point that thing!

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy

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    Quote Originally Posted by Red Baron View Post
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    I cast a boolit from Hot Glue...
    I see wrinkles... I think your mold needs to be hotter.
    Μολὼν λάβε

  15. #15
    Boolit Master badbob454's Avatar
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    SHOULD A TOOL LIKE THIS BE CLEANED UP, OR IS RUST THE PATINA COLLECTORS LIKE ? oops cap lock .
    To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.”
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    my feedback page:click and give me feedback here,below...

    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show....php?p=1412368

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    I have a similar tool in 25-20
    "Investment" is the new "Throw money at it!"

    Detectives, and Cobras, and Agents!
    Oh my!

  17. #17
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by badbob454 View Post
    SHOULD A TOOL LIKE THIS BE CLEANED UP, OR IS RUST THE PATINA COLLECTORS LIKE ? oops cap lock .
    I've been told it's better to leave "as is" than to clean them up. If they want it cleaned up seems like they could do it their way and be better off.

    Jeff

  18. #18
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Red Baron View Post
    Yea, its me. They call me JLGurr over there. How neat to meet someone from there on this forum too.

    Jeff
    It's a small world! I hang out some over there too.
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  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by badbob454 View Post
    SHOULD A TOOL LIKE THIS BE CLEANED UP, OR IS RUST THE PATINA COLLECTORS LIKE ? oops cap lock .
    My opinion is that if you have it for a collectable -- leave it rusty. Oil it, but use no abrasives.

    On the other hand, if you buy one to use -- clean it up. Gently of course.

    Robert

  20. #20
    Boolit Master Speedo66's Avatar
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    I have a similar Ideal tool in .38-40 (.38 WCF). There was no decapping piece, I use a modern one for that. I've loaded a few boxes of ammo with it, a little slow, but very satisfying just the same. Does wonders for your grip. LOL Makes you wonder who held it before you?

    Haven't cast with it, but see no reason why it wouldn't be fine.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check