I have two old (early 1900s?) pieces of Winchester 45-60 reloading equipment. They are both manufactured by Winchester. One is a reloading tool (pat Sept 14, 1888), about 9 inches long, with some surface rust. The other is a bullet mould, about 7 1/2 in long, all iron, no wood handles. The cavity is good, no rust, etc. Works well, has been used recently to cast good bullets. Does anyone out there have any idea what these are worth or where I could get such information?

Over on the Antique Reloading Tool Collectors page you can figure out which model tool you have. You can post there and ask about yours also.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

EWIN - Hate to show my ignorance, but where can I find this Antique Reloading Tool Collector page? Is it in Accuratereloading or elsewhere? Thanks for the info.

http://www.antiquereloadingtools.org/

Sorry, I was negligent there. It is not here on AR.
On the left side window, near the bottom, you'll find a list of tools. As you click on them, you'll get images of various tools with comments about the variations. You will note that the 1888 tools are not often found. I haven't found one yet.
The site has helped me identify several tools, and has alerted me about what to look for when I'm crawling gunshows.Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

EWIN (or anyone else who is interested). Thanks for the info. Found the site and it is quite helpful and interesting. The two tools actually belong to my computerless neighbor. He is getting old and wants to sell them, possibly on ebay. If you are interested, you can contact me (bhjones@bmi.net) and I will send you his phone number and you can talk to him about them. Or, I would be glad to let you know if/when he lists them on an auction site.

docjones41

EWIN Back again. I have looked up the 1888 model on the reloading tool site and the one shown is very different from the tool I have. My tool looks like the drawings that are used as a background for the photos on the reloading tool site, but it definately says 'patent of 1888' on it.

OK, THIS time I think I finally have it right. I got out my microscope and also checked on the antique reloading tools site again and what I really seem to have are:
1) Win reloading tool, 1880 second type, 45 - 60, with both Winchester name and patent date. With patina, some rust and some pitting
2) Win 4th model bullet mould, 45 - 60, with alignment pin and Win name and address. No patent date. Again, with small amount of surface rust, some pitting, cavity is very nice, no rust or pitting. Would probably make very good bullets.

Sorry for the previous mistakes, should have gotten out the microscope earlier.

docjones41,
I wonder if anyone over on the ARTCA board has the patent number(s). Those tools are quite different.
Cheers,
Ross

Doc,

A few months ago I picked up an original
Winchester loading tool for a .44WCF with
a patent date of Oct '74 / Nov '82 on it.

It's in good shape with some minor surface
rust pitting on it, but it still works fine

I had to pay $60 for it at a local gun show.

John B.

I would like to know the value also. I have a Lyman ideal bullet mould #456192 in single cavity with wooden handles. It has some minor surface rust/ no pitting. Was not able to find any information at the antique site. I also have a Winchester Model 1876//45-60wcf. This rifle was purchased in 1879 by my wifes great grandfather. Would like to know it value also. Gun is 50 % condition.

Bob300wsm,
If you want to know the value of an antique rifle, have it appraised. That way you can insure it for what it's actually worth, which by the way is quite a bit. If it should (god forbid) be lost in a fire or break-in, the insurance company isn't going to take yours or my word for it, but they can't argue with the proof from a licensed appraiser.
As to the mould, check evilbay for similar ones. "Minor surface rust, no pitting" reads the same as "like new in box". They don't tell much and the phrases are too often used by the less than honest. (Not that I'm implying that of you, I am not, just pointing out that the description is not likely to inspire any confidence in a potential buyer.) Take a good, clear photo of the interior of the cavity and you should be able to get a decent price for it. The quality of the picture is what will sell it.