How old is this Lee Loader?

[ulav8r]

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Got a 16 ga. Lee Loader recently, know it is older than the one I bought new in 1968 by the style of the box. Condition is a little rough but it is complete.

Instruction sheet says Lee Custom Engineering, 626 N.Apple Blossom Lane (6th St.), Milwaukee 17, Wisconsin.

[.22-10-45]

Looks just like the 12 Ga. Lee Loader my Grandfather gave me back in the early 1970's. I believe he bought it in the 1950's.

[Bent Ramrod]

You might send a PM to Floodgate, or put a posting on the ARTCA site. That certainly looks like the oldest version of the packaging, with cardboard cut out silhouettes to keep the parts in place. (And wood grain on the cardboard; that would be the first thing to go if costs went up.) Those postal district numbers were changed to ZIP Codes in 1963, so your set definitely predates that year.

[Bmi48219]

Are the shot & powder measure scoops adjustable?

[ulav8r]

The powder scoop is fixed. The shot scoop has a removable bottom, reversing it changes the capacity from 1 oz to 1 1/8 oz.

[Vinne]

Check out the Lee History info at: http://leeprecision.com/history.html
He explains he started making reloaders for shotgun in 1958. You got a great find!!

[waarp8nt]

Nice Find! My brother had one in 12ga that I assume was newer than that one. His box had a black lid and my guess is he bought it sometime in the 70's. I remember loading with him on a number of occasions.

[bubba.50]

as stated, with no zip code you know it's at the very least pre-63 vintage.

[fiberoptik]

Great grannies 16 gauge really needs a companion like that..


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[Dave Bulla]

Not sure but I THINK I saw one that was not chromed at all and the owner said it was one of the earliest made by Dick Lee while working out of his garage. There are variations in the style of the cardboard box and insert I believe. The condition of this set is pretty poor from the pictures and in itself is not a reliable indicator of the age. A bit of cleaning though and it will certainly be fully functional. I have a similar one in very good condition that I use for my 16 Guage. While not fast, they do work well.

[Ithaca Gunner]

I view Dick Lee as the Ron Popeil of reloading. If you can get your hands on a LEE reloading book, first edition, it's a great read! Richard Lee tells the hows and whys of his inventions.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I used one like that in, I believe it was 1959 to load for the 20 guage. I still have the scoops but the rest is lost. It was surprised how fast I could load a box of empties. I used the bathroom scale to set the pressure.

[too many things]

58 to 62 he went all plated and black box in about 63/64 , problem with the early was they didnt have plastic and the old ones would not crimp plastic . he changed in about 64/66 so they would

[wonderwolf]

NICE! I have a .410 set I'll have to check the address stamp out, it has the wood grain like cut outs like that.

[hydraulic]

Mine is exactly the same as yours. I bought it in college and wrote the date on the box: 1964.