Ideal No 4 for 38 S&W?

[trapperP]

Can anyone tell me the value of an Ideal No 4 for 38 S&W? Shoot, can anyone tell me how to tell if this is an Ideal No 4? I can't post up any picture until first of the week so that is no help.
This is what it looks like BUT this is not a picture of the one I have.
Any and all help appreciated.
TrapperP118792

[skeettx]

This should help

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/reloading-range-reports/46726-old-ideal-reloading-tools.html

http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/item_desc.php?item_id=1455


No help here, but GREAT reading

http://www.endtimesreport.com/Lyman_310_Tong_Tools.html

Mike

[Bent Ramrod]

Condition and completeness are the primary factors, and value is enhanced by unusual calibers. "Ideally," (a-hem!) it should be in the original box, with the decapping pin, the little metal powder scoop, and the instructions. Usually, all the extra stuff is missing. Even having the decapping pin puts it in a separate level of completeness to the normally encountered tool. Absent any or all of that, the tool itself should have most of the nickel (or all, if possible) still present, the sprue plate and screws present and unmangled and the mould cavity in usable, or better, pristine, condition.

Go on E-Bay and type in "Ideal Reloading." That's the best way to get a value for a tong tool in whatever condition yours is in. The No. 4 had the nonadjustable chamber and was set up for the smaller cartridges. It differed from the No. 1 in that it had a hole in one handle and a punch in the other to size bullets. The cavity should be for the "standard" bullet for that cartridge. Once in a blue moon, one will have a different cavity than standard, and then it is a "rare variation." Sometimes nearly as rare as the collector willing to pay a premium for the "rare variation.":mrgreen: