Measuring Powder, Old School Style

[jrmartin1964]

Left-to-Right:
Ideal No.6 (New Haven);
Ideal No.5 (Middlefield); and
Ideal No.1

Attachment 205456 Attachment 205457

[LUBEDUDE]

Very nice!

[M-Tecs]

I have a #5 & #6 but not a #1

[Gewehr-Guy]

Can you tell us when the No. 1 was produced? Were they used on the old Ideal shotshell press? It looks like it could charge about 8000 .38 S&W cartridges before it needed a refill!

[jrmartin1964]

Originally designated as the "Universal Powder Measure", the Ideal No.1 Powder Measure first appeared in Ideal Handbook No.5 (1894), at the same time as Ideal Loading Machine for Shotshells. The "Universal Powder Measure" became known as the "No.1" in 1898, with the introduction of the "No.2" (a duplex measure), "No.3" (powder and shot measure, similar to the Loading Machine, but with a built-in clamp for bench mounting), and the "No.4" (duplex powder and shot measure) in Ideal Handbook No.10 (1898). In Ideal Handbook No.12 (1900), an improved version of all Ideal powder and shot measures was introduced (changes made to the metering system, more closely resembling that found on the later No.5 and No.6, and ultimately the Lyman No.55, albeit a bit more primitive), with all models retaining their number designations with the addition of "Model 1899". The No.1 (and the rest) remained in Ideal handbooks through No.15 (1903), and only the Loading Machine remained in No.16 (1904) with the introduction of the No.5 and No.6 powder measures.

My No.1 is one of the earlier (1894-1898) versions, and is adjusted by loosening the large-headed screw on the right - in the center of the handle/cylinder assembly - and pulling/pushing the sliding plug in or out to align with the grain and dram markings, then re-tightening the screw.

Probably better explained by looking at images from the patents covering the Ideal powder measures...

Attachment 205667 Attachment 205668 Attachment 205669

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm betting that old No.1 would, indeed, hold enough BP or Bullseye to load hundreds, if not thousands, of .38 Specials!

[Edward]

That"s a lot of history on your bench /good for you/Ed