Item Description
Original Items: One Set Only. This is a nice set of original reloading tools in .38 WCF for the Winchester Model 1873 and 1892 rifles. The concept of reloading began on the commercial market with the introduction of the Model 1873 Winchester Rifle. It was one of the first weapons that chambered cartridges with central priming: the .38 Winchester Center Fire or .38-40. Having sustainable ammunition made the repeating rifle a much more practical weapon out on the frontier where the nearest hardware or sporting good store was hundreds of miles away. These simple hand tools could be carried in a saddle bag and provided you had powder, lead, and primers, you could cast and reload all your spent cartridges with little more than these tools and a camp fire.
This set consists of the Model 1882 Reloading Tool, which unfortunately has lost the "Decapping Tool", which are very often missing, as over 100 years they can easily become lost. The Tool still has clear makers markings ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM ARMS:
MANUFACTURED BY THE
WINCHESTER REP. ARMS CO.
NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.
.38 W.C.F.
PAT. OCT. 20 1874 NOV 7.82
The patent dates are overstamped, indicating that this was probably re-stamped during manufacture as a new patent had been granted.
The included mold is the later type, with the improved walnut handles. Earlier versions of this tool were made entirely of iron which got pretty hot during casting so the addition of wood over the handles was a welcome improvement. The mold is marked .38 W.C.F. above the left grip, and the right side has the maker and address information:
MANUFACTURED BY THE
WINCHESTER REP. ARMS CO.
NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.
Overall condition of this set is very good, with lots of original blue, and clear markings. As far as we can tell, the set should work, but we have no way to test it. A very nice set, ready to display along with your Winchester!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
