45-90wcf ideal tool

[ecross27]

I need help understanding one of the "stages" of this tool: mold on end of tool, apparent permanent attached seating die,apparent primer seater, and an unknown stage(hole in lever and opposite side has app. 3/4 inch movable pin that closes into the the unk hole)

What is the stage and how was it used? How was decapping accomplished.

Thanks

[floodgate]

ecross27:

I answered this in response to your PM, but will copy/paste it here in case someone else is interested:

"That will be an Ideal No. 6 tool, in the less-common "non-Special" version with fixed bullet seating/crimping chamber (most used a detachable, adjustable die). Decapping was accomplished with a little billet with decapping pin dropped into the seating chamber after fitting it into the flash-hole in the case; a squeeze on the handle pushed the primer out and in later versions a flange on the billet ironed out any remaining crimp - these are missing more often than not. The second station from the hinge - as you recognized - seats a new primer. The third station you asked about is for sizing the bullet cast in the mould, nose-first. If the tool says "Ideal" with a New Haven address it dates between about 1886 and 1910 (if the mould has an alignment pin and seat in the block faces, and a set screw to lock the sprue-plate pivot screw, it is after 1901); if it has the Marlin, New Haven logo in script, it is 1910 - 1915; if it has "Ideal" with a Middlefield Conn. address, it is a Lyman product 1925 - 1945. If no address at all, it may have been made by one Phineas Talcott - who held the rights to the "Ideal" name and made a few tools, 1916 - 1925."

Floodgate