Ideal Straightline Crimper

[abunaitoo]

I have this old shotgun crimping tool.
I think it's missing some parts.
Anyone know anything about it????
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[abunaitoo]

Anyone????

[dsh1106]

I have the complete Straight Line series in 12 gauge. Mine are what I call the 2nd series, these were available from the early 40s to the late 50s maybe.

What do you need to know?

[dsh1106]

The piece you have is the Crimper. Once I get to a PC I'll be able to see it better to tell if anything is missing.

[dsh1106]

A closer look shows, your crimper is the earlier version (old style) the crimpping head is attached to the bar. The one shown on the box is the star style crimp, there were two styles of crimps at that time. The old style crimp and the new "star" type crimp or what we have today.

Does the paper shown in the box have a code on the bottom edge of either side?, it will say FORM NO. xx-xx-xx x

Scott

[abunaitoo]

Nothing that says From No.
But there is ss-5m-1-55 on the bottom of the back page.
The picture shows only the parts in the box plus one extra part
It's a round aluminum that fits over the pin on the base, or inside of the shell holder.
It could be a spacer for shorter shells.
No date on anything.
Instructions are not the greatest.

[dsh1106]

ss-5m-1-55

This is the code - not sure what ss stands for, 5m stands for 5 million copies made, 1-55 is Jan 1955

The setup goes as follows
short thin spacer fits on the base plate
long body sits on top of thin spacer

this spacer should have counter bore for the base of the hull
long body will fit over the hull and have a hole large enough for the crimp setter (attached to the handle on the base) to fit through.

As I mentioned before this is the old style, I assume you load the hull place it in the base, put the outer chamber on and press the handle to form the crimp.

The newer style is spring loaded and can be adjusted to different depths.

I'll look thru my books and see if I have data on or about 1955

Scott

[abunaitoo]

More pictures
1) all the parts I have
2) the way I think it suppose to work
3) the two bottom parts
4) looks like the small one goes into the large one for shorter shells.
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I've tried it, but cannot get it to complete the crimp.
Seems to me a part is missing.
The box shows one with the spring. Probable a newer box????
Instructions show it without the spring.

[dsh1106]

Remember most of the shells back then were paper, they would probably crimp easier than today's plastic cases.

I can't find that style shown in any of my books, the Handbook from 55 shows the style with the spring. I can tell you that a solid plug type like what you have was used in the shot shell kit sold for the All American Presses (AA Turret & Comet)
see picture

Scott