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Help with an 1881 reloading tool
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oldcrankyyankee
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October 13, 2026 - 9:46 pm
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As it says, I am in need of help with a 1881 reloading tool. Looking to see, find, or hear from anyone with knowledge of how they work. I just found one in 45-90 and it has a small problem and I want to fix it.  

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TR
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October 14, 2026 - 1:57 am
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  I assume you mean a 1891 tool.

  It’s simple how they work if you have one in your hand. First turn both large levers in opposite directions to split the tool. Then turn the knurled plug out, left handed threads. Insert the shell casing in the hole you screwed the plug out of, screw the plug down tight, remember let handed threads. Then thread the two big levers back together. The small lever is used to push the primer in. T/R

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oldcrankyyankee
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October 14, 2026 - 2:28 am
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TR said
  I assume you mean a 1891 tool.
  It’s simple how they work if you have one in your hand. First turn both large levers in opposite directions to split the tool. Then turn the knurled plug out, left handed threads. Insert the shell casing in the hole you screwed the plug out of, screw the plug down tight, remember let handed threads. Then thread the two big levers back together. The small lever is used to push the primer in. T/R
  

Yes an 1891 tool is correct. So we got the basics sorted out. How is the decapper used? and also the small bushing I found in the end of the left hand threaded plug.  

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426crown
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October 14, 2026 - 11:35 am
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This should help..BILL

 

file:///C:/Users/New%20User/OneDrive/Documents/1894%20loading%20tool%20inst..pdf

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oldcrankyyankee
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October 14, 2026 - 7:43 pm
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426crown said
This should help..BILL
 
file:///C:/Users/New%20User/OneDrive/Documents/1894%20loading%20tool%20inst..pdf
  

Not opening.

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TR
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October 14, 2026 - 9:30 pm
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oldcrankyyankee said

TR said
  I assume you mean a 1891 tool.
  It’s simple how they work if you have one in your hand. First turn both large levers in opposite directions to split the tool. Then turn the knurled plug out, left handed threads. Insert the shell casing in the hole you screwed the plug out of, screw the plug down tight, remember let handed threads. Then thread the two big levers back together. The small lever is used to push the primer in. T/R
  

Yes an 1891 tool is correct. So we got the basics sorted out. How is the decapper used? and also the small bushing I found in the end of the left hand threaded plug.  
  

 The decapper is removed from the unmarked lever then slide the spent casing in that lever. Then insert L shaped decapper in the shell case and tap it to extract the primer. The knurled left hand thread plug has in the center a nipple used to expand the shell to accept the bullet. Maybe that’s what you call the small bushing. The L shaped decapper is caliber marked, 38,40,45,50 ect. The decapper screws into the lever turning on a screw shank. When tools have swapped parts from other calibers they do not work.

 Now you know why they came out with the 1894 tool. T/R

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oldcrankyyankee
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October 15, 2026 - 10:12 pm
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TR said

oldcrankyyankee said

TR said
  I assume you mean a 1891 tool.
  It’s simple how they work if you have one in your hand. First turn both large levers in opposite directions to split the tool. Then turn the knurled plug out, left handed threads. Insert the shell casing in the hole you screwed the plug out of, screw the plug down tight, remember let handed threads. Then thread the two big levers back together. The small lever is used to push the primer in. T/R
  

Yes an 1891 tool is correct. So we got the basics sorted out. How is the decapper used? and also the small bushing I found in the end of the left hand threaded plug.  
  

 The decapper is removed from the unmarked lever then slide the spent casing in that lever. Then insert L shaped decapper in the shell case and tap it to extract the primer. The knurled left hand thread plug has in the center a nipple used to expand the shell to accept the bullet. Maybe that’s what you call the small bushing. The L shaped decapper is caliber marked, 38,40,45,50 ect. The decapper screws into the lever turning on a screw shank. When tools have swapped parts from other calibers they do not work.
 Now you know why they came out with the 1894 tool. T/R
  

Thanks TR that was the info I was looking for. I was abble to make a couple calls and found a new to me bottom nut. Now it is complete. Thanks for your help

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