On March 11 and December 23, 1884 John H. Barlow would receive U.S. Patent numbers 294,955 and 309,681 for his Ideal Manufacturing Company’s No. 1 loading (tong) tool. From 1885 into 1891 Barlow’s tools would be sold by other retailers, such as, Marlin, Stevens, Colt, and Smith & Wesson. The No. 1 tool was initially “shown in the 1885 Marlin Catalog.” Along with the No.1 tool the purchaser received a decapping pin and a fixed charge (Black) powder measure. There is no bullet sizing hole in the handles, the user smeared lube on with his fingers and inserted it into the case over a single charge cup measure of black powder.
This tool is somewhat rare as it is sold under Marlin ownership, but the tool is not marked as Marlin Ideal. Only New Haven in very thin script as if the original Ideal name was polished off. This would make it Ideal inventory as purchased by Marlin in 1915.