SWAGING Estate sale find. Need help!

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Since I started casting and have followed the conversations on the forum, I have found myself curious about swaging. I am not of the financial position to ever be able to go out and buy new swaging equipment such as Corbin but I have been hoping to find something used and cheap to play with. I think I have found it but am so ignorant of swaging that I am not sure of what I am looking at. The items I have pictured were in an old broken down cabinet of drawer. The first one I open contained some finished bullets in .308, .264, .257 and .224. Then I got excited. After opening just a few more drawers I took the plunge and made an offer on the whole cabinet. Ashamed to say what I paid but I am certain that you probably could maybe buy lunch for you and your wife if you were careful!

Anyway I need help identifying what I have. I can't find any makers mark on anything. I have seriously wondered if the was not homemade stuff. If so he was a good machinist or tool maker.

I really need guidance if I am ever to make these hidden treasures come back to life.Have 4 more pictures but will post them separately.

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Here's more.

Some of the items pictured look like he was making molds for a muzzle loading?

[rancher1913]

looks like a real treasure trove, but good luck figuring out what goes with what. maybe you can find a person in the know on here that is close and can help sort things out. wish I could stumble on something like that.

[BT Sniper]

Holy Sheep!

First thing to do is figure out what press/presses the dies fit.

Good find!

BT

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Your are correct Rancher, I definitely need some knowledgeable advise. At least maybe I can be led to the best books on the subject.

Thanks for the reply.
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The threads on most of it is 7/8-14. The dies on the first pictures have a smaller shank. There is one adaptor there that is that size on the inside and 7/8-14 on the outside.

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Think I will go out to the shop and measure the smaller threaded portions and report back.

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Think I will go out to the shop and measure the smaller threaded portions and report back.

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Checked the smaller thread and it is 9/16-18.

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[runfiverun]

if you could go back and find the press or presses he used a lot of it would make more sense.
some of looks like it's for a reloading press and some looks like it's for an S&S type press.
I would spend some time with my calipers and sort things out into groups of the same size then go from there.

[DukeInFlorida]

Worthless JUNK. Send it all to me. I'll pay the postage, and send you gift cards for TWO lunches at some big box restaurant.


J/K.....

It's quite a find that you have there. We'll be hard pressed matching up all the parts that go with each set. I hope that you kept the parts that were in each drawer somewhat together. Most likely the parts that go together were close together.

And, I agree... the PRESSES are just as important as are all the tools. I'd have to bet the guy had the right presses (considering the tools)....

[leeggen]

As excited as BT Sniper seems he might fly out to just touch it. He seems to have a great smarts for this type of equipment.
CD

[labradigger1]

Holy cow you did good!

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Unfortunately the cabinet with the drawers had no back and when they were moving it they dumped a bunch of the drawers out and looks like they just shoveled them back in anywhere to pick things up. I tried to make some order out of it but my severely limited knowledge made it a wild guess at best. As far as the presses are concerned everything and everyone involved are gone, so that is a dead end, unfortunately. I sure appreciate everyone's input. I hope to get more,

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[bullet maker 57]

Some of the dies and punches might be "Pearce". I have a few that look similar.

[.30harris]

Nice find! Some of the dies look like they're off of Bahler and Astles sets.

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Looking for books on swaging but there is not much out there except for the new Corbin offerings. Any suggestions?

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[R.Ph. 380]

You're in the best forum to find help. I'll bet BT, Duke, Bullet Maker 57 can cast an eye on some closer pictures and start you on the right path.

Bill

[clodhopper]

Where are you located in Oregon? BT is in over on the wet side, I sometimes make a trip to see my brother in Nyssa.

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Where are you located in Oregon? BT is in over on the wet side, I sometimes make a trip to see my brother in Nyssa.

I am on the really wet side, Seal Rock (just south of Newport on Hwy. 101)

[clodhopper]

I stopped there summer before last. Nice place.
A few years ago I purchased a collection of swaging tools from an estate. I got three presses in the deal and one had dies and punches installed.
With that little bit of guidance I eventually figured out what most the parts were.
These crazy swagers/reloaders get ideas for projects and acquire stuff that might be useful.
It would not surprise me if you never do find out what some of those tools do.