MP Molds Vintage and Variations

[KVO]

While it makes zero difference in functionality MP has been making molds long enough to have some subtle variations in block design. I'm a mold user not a mold collector. That being said, I have just enough curiosity to wonder when some of these small changes were implemented or if they are all concurrent depending on available stock and each specific mold number. What I have seen so far is:

1) Either the presence or lack of vertical vent lines between cavities.

2) Two different alignment pin styles.

3) Placement of the bullet design designation either on the top corner of the blocks (unusually filled with layout fluid?) and polished top block faces vs design number on the side of the blocks. Some of the 6 and 8 cavity aluminum have the mold number on the bottom of the blocks as well.

What other variations are out there?

[dragon813gt]

There are brass molds w/ the bullet type inscribed on the bottom. The placement has always seemed like it’s where he wanted to put it that day. On the side is the best location. On the top of quite stupid IMO. Some of the differences could be due to bullet design.

I’d have to go though my collection and compare them. But that sounds like work so I won’t be doing that

[Mal Paso]

I had a 4 cavity #503 (432-256) with no marking at all.

You sure you're not a collector, those molds look awfully clean.

[KVO]

Hahaha those two were fresh out of the Slovenian news print this afternoon, on the hotplate as we speak. I've actually been tempted to start a "show me your ugly brass molds" thread. I know most of mine are. They just can't seem to be pretty and drop pretty bullets at the same time.

[Big Ben]

Placement of the caliber/weight seem to be different on the ones I have. All are top notch. Love me some MP brass molds. Works of art!

[NoZombies]

I've got an old single cavity MP made from iron using the lyman/ideal type of HP pin... I got that one quite a while ago