Anyone seen on of these before? Who made them?

[diopter]

Case neck expander with a decapping pin?..... Really?

From items of a old deceased reloading friend.

[Markopolo]

Well, it must sit inside some sort of die. Looks like the top of the egg has a grove that fits inside some sort of framework like a die anyway.. are there threads in the very tip of the nose?

[Conditor22]

44mag/special decap/flare tool?

[Winger Ed.]

Interesting.

That's got to be a early generation of what has now evolved into the decapper/neck expander we have now.

[diopter]

Well, it must sit inside some sort of die. Looks like the top of the egg has a grove that fits inside some sort of framework like a die anyway.. are there threads in the very tip of the nose?

[ascast]

yes, those are from early reloaders, like Ideal 310 predecessors etc. That is a de-capper, flaring tool for a 44 of some kind. Measure length. I would guess not for 44 MAG or Special as the tool predates those by many years. The length from the widest part to the primer punch will tell the story. In use, I believe that sizing was first, then flare and de-cap in the same operation ( or stroke). So the cap would ant to be out about the time the flare engaged, roughly. These generally get separated from the tool. They are collectable and valuable, like gold. One is selling on fleabay now for the 45-70 and was over $50. Outrageous? yes, but you can't have one made for $100. Nice find. You might make a new best friend with that.

[Markopolo]

I would say the 44 Russian??? Or more likely 44-40

Can you measure from the the base of the decamping pin to the bottom of the grove??? That should give case length or close to it. It should rule some stuff out.



Marko

[Markopolo]

Well, Ascast got it.... it is a original recapping pin for an Ideal number 4 tool... just gotta figure out the caliber....

Attachment 243124



See how the nose corresponds to the shape of the tool cavity?

There you have it. Cross reference the measurements with 44-40 and I think you might have it.

Marko

[Markopolo]

There is a member here that belongs to the Antique Reloading Tool Collectors Association that will want to talk to you. I can’t remember his user name, but I know how to find him... I will point him in your direction... I think pressman is a member.

Marko

[Pressman]

Diopter, do you have the rest of the tool? What you have is the almost always missing de-capping slug from an Ideal tong tool. This would be a tool with a fixed chamber, not a removable die. It looks to be from the .44 Russian as Mark said.
These were tools that could have the bullet mold on the nose. Or may not, but still a fixed chamber.
Your friend may have had the tool it fits, hopefully the tool is still obtainable to get the slug back where it belongs.

Ken.

[diopter]

Afraid not. I'll cleaned out, very literally his apartment after he was forced to stay in a medical senior's home. he died soon after.
He did not have the tong tool in his reloading inventory at that time. Closest items were a Lyman jr press, 310 hand tool and various dies for them.
He did have 44-40 Redding dies for his Lee turret press. Don't recall him have a 44 Russian. He was very much a pack rat.
I'll measure it when I get a chance for case length.

[diopter]

I would say the 44 Russian??? Or more likely 44-40

Can you measure from the the base of the decamping pin to the bottom of the grove??? That should give case length or close to it. It should rule some stuff out.



Marko

Looks like .883"

[Markopolo]

Got to be 44 Russian then. Case length on 44-40 is 1.310 so that is too long.. case length on the Russian is .970, much closer to your length.

Although it would probably work in both..