Round ball moulds

These two followed me home from Denver also. Frankfort Armory moulds. I got two of the three that was there, I missed the .44 cal mould. These are .45 caliber and .30 caliber. They were provided to National Guard and other Army organizations to cast round balls for loading into the service cartridge case for indoor gallery practice and small game hunting. In that era Guard units had to supply much of their own ammunition if they wished to have firing practice. Frankfort Arsenal and Ideal each made sets of Arsenal reloading tools just for this purpose. Neither of which are commonly seen today.

The moulds are large, heavy and made of brass or bronze.

Ken

Attachment 196369

Attachment 196370

Attachment 196371

Attachment 196372

Nice!!! Great find!

I've got about 5 or 6 of these from Frankfort Arsenal as well. Dated in the 1890s to early 'aughts. I think they are mostly 6-ball molds. All in nice condition. Any idea what these may be worth? I can post pictures of them.

A friend of mine gave these to me about 7 years ago. He had inherited them from his uncle who had been a lifelong collector of blackpowder guns about 40 years before.

Just pulled them out...

.30 cal are 5 cavity and .45 cal is 4 cavity

1. 1901 .30 cal Stamped O.M.L
2. 1899 Cal 30 Stamped C. L'H. R
3. 1896 .30 Cal Stamped L.M.F.
4. 1899 .30 Cal. Stamped C.L'H.R.
5. 1904 Cal. 30 Stamped O.M.L.
6. 1904 Cal 45 Stamped H.B.J.

Attachment 236289

Heck of a find!

Jmace57, the two I have I paid just over $100.00 each. There are or were two on eBay this week for $450 and $350 asking price in the same condition.

Ken

Thank you, sir. I notice there is an auction on proxybid this week, that has about 15 of these for sale. (and cheap as of the moment)