Help on History/id of "Potter" mould...

[Shome10x]

All,

I'm hoping to find some history or info on a "Potter" mould I purchased. It's in good shape with POTTER and 358-d-150 stamped on the sprue plate. Looks like an old two cavity Saeco.

Any history on the mould or the maker?

Thanks,

Chris G. in MO

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2787787171_227affceb8.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2787787625_20b5e59e15.jpg?v=0

[floodgate]

Shome10x:

I knew that Potter made a line of lead melting pots for boolit casting before WW II, but have never seen any mention of moulds by them. I'd like to hear more about this one and any others anyone knows about. I'll check with a friend who knows a LOT more than I do about such things.

Floodgate

[NVcurmudgeon]

I started reading all the reloading/casting catalogues I could find about 1960. Never saw any mention of Potter moulds, so they may well be pre-war. I do have a 12 lb. Potter dip pot which I sent to Potter in Florida for, around 1965, when I had given up on Dripomatics. I still use the Potter for all casting and smelting. At the same time, I bought a 7 oz. (aluminum?) ingot mould from Potter. The mould marks the ingots with a "P" and is non-magnetic, light in weight, and hasn't rusted in 40-odd years. The pot is 3 1/4" deep, inside dia. is 4 1/4". The pot has a 1" flange around the top, with "Potter" in raised letters. The bottom is flat, which works safely on my Coleman stove. There are two handles close together which are very handy for pouring ingots.

[Shome10x]

I haven't casted from this mould yet. It is in great condition with all edges sharp. Looks good...If I could just get some info.....

Thanks for looking...

Chris

[Pavogrande]

I have had a potter casting furnace since about 1958 -- the 6th edition handloaders digest 1972? lists the Potter bullet casting furnaces, bullet casting pots, ingot moulds and smelting type furnaces and pots -- but no bullet moulds -- the Model C #3 1/3 bottom drop bullet furnace lists for $28 -- not a cheapie -- 900 watt dual element 16# Model H was $46 -- That was near about 2 days wages before taxes.

[Maven]

All, Before I looked at Shome10x's pics, I wasn't sure that Potter produced molds. Now I'm certain: I had a double cavity, plain base, .38cal. SWC design that was a clone of the ~158gr. Lee SWC (except for the lack of the gas check). As it cast beautifully, but wasn't very accurate in my S & W Mod. 10 or my .357mags. either, I sold it. Btw, it DID look alot like a Cramer/Saeco mold.