Ideal Mould Markings

[358156hp]

I'm still, and will always be, trying to make sense of Ideal mould markings. I'm specifically focusing on when the address markings were changed from New Haven, Connecticut, to Middlefield, Connecticut. The reason I'm asking is because Ideal was owned by Marlin from 1910 to around 1918 when Marlin sold Ideal to Phineas Talcott. The Lyman family subsequently purchased the company in 1925. My assumption is that the "New Haven" marked moulds are from the Marlin era since Marlin was in New Haven, and that would have been the logical mailing address for the company. Lymans information on this is sketchy at best. I remember pats of the "Red Barn" story, and am under the impression that the Ideal/Lyman factory was always in Middlefield Ct.

Um... help?

 

[Rick]

Another good time for Glen to chime in. He has studied such things and most of what I know about this is from his writings.

 

[Glen]

Off the top of my head, I don't have a clue (but your analysis makes sense to me). I have a book on Antique Reloading Tools, and I suspect that it might address this topic. Let me see what I can find.....

 

[358156hp]

Thank you! I'm going to make sense of the mishmash of Ideal/Lyman history yet.

 

[smokeywolf]

Interested in this myself as at least 10 or so of my moulds are older (1930 - 1960) Ideal.

smokeywolf

 

[358156hp]

I just picked up a very early 12 ball mould with the New Haven address on the sprue plate. There is also no lock screw for the sprue plate bolt. If my assumption is correct, this old girl is right around 100 years old.

 

[Bret4207]

Floodgate, that's who I'd ask. Last I knew he was hanging out at the Antique Reloading Equipment site, the name is something like that. I haven't "seen" him in some time,but I've been off the grid so to speak.

 

[358156hp]

I'll get ahold of him and see what I can find out.

Good to see you're still around. I thought the Commanches might have got you.

Thanks!

 

[Bret4207]

Well, it just took a series of odd events for me to stumble onto this site. Looks good and it's so very nice to "see" all my old friends.
s

 

[358156hp]

Floodgate, that's who I'd ask. Last I knew he was hanging out at the Antique Reloading Equipment site, the name is something like that. I haven't "seen" him in some time,but I've been off the grid so to speak.

I posted it on the Antique Reloading website now too.

 

[358156hp]

And the verdict is:

The absence of the sprueplate screw lock screw (and of an alignment peg and socket in the mating faces of the blocks?) place this mould as being earlier than Ideal Handbook No. 14, 1902. So, 1888 - 1902. Probably in the earlier range, as later ones were marked on the side.

I got this reply from Doug Elliot this morning on the Antique Reloading board.

I posted pics for him, and it is finally narrowed down to definitely being one of the earliest moulds, and is likely to be in the 1890ish era. Doug also furnished me with a great deal of Ideal historical information, and suggestions of where to get other accurate information on Ideal products. I'm afraid I'm seriously hooked on Ideal now.

Doug Elliot (floodgate) is an exceptionally great guy.

 

[Bret4207]

Well, now I'm going to have to look up that antique reloading tool site and see Flood....

 

[9.3X62AL]

Floodgate/Doug Elliott is among the real treasures the reloading hobby world has garnered.

 

[358156hp]

RicinYakima has been a tremendous help as well. For instance, I had no idea that Lyman had printed the Centennial Journal. I ordered one online and found scores of hundred year old pictures and copies of original illustrations from the original Ideal & Lyman manuals. I kind of thought that Lyman had changed hands too many times and lost interest in their history. I'm always blown away when such knowledgeable people share information so openly with others. These two Gentlemen literally gave me the keys to the kingdom, allowing me to date and identify Ideal & Lyman without having to look like some sort of knucklehead when I ask for help online. The gift of knowledge is always the greatest, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Brad]

That is awesome