Ideal 45-GOV 405 mold

[CeeHoo]

Picked this old Ideal mold recently. I believe it was made before the late 1920s but someone here probably knows this stuff better. The mold is in workable condition and casts .460-.461" boolits which weigh about 403 grains when made from wheelweight alloy. On the right cavity half there are some scratches which cause visual defects to end product but other than that the boolits seem usable. The wooden handles have several cracks as well. I don't know if they are original but they are pinned in place. Material looks like beech to me.

[Winger Ed.]

Cool.

Who said they won't last forever.

[jrmartin1964]

Beginning in 1897 that design would be identified as No.457124, the standard for .45-70 weighing 405 grains. The lack of the Ideal number identification (as well as no locking screw for the sprue plate pivot screw, and no block alignment dowel) would theoretically place your mould's manufacture not later than 1897/98.

Jim

[John Boy]

That Ideal led a tough life including with the caster’s weird vent lines. This vintage Ideal mold had no vent lines. With a little surfacing work on the mold halves, the mold can be made to fully close with no mold halve marks on the bullets... Enjoy casting with it
PS: hold tightly the closed mold up to a strong light and you can determine where the surfacing work is needed for the mold to fully close

[GregLaROCHE]

Nice piece of history. Reminds people that fine molds could be made before CNC machining.