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A friend that hits the flea markets was cleaning out his basement and came across this stuff and had no use for it so gave it to me. My question is does it have any value or just get rid of it. Looks like it set up for 10 gauge shot shells. The loading block has hard to read writing on the bottom and as best I can make it out it says (Sycamore Loading Block). Then on the next line (The Bridgeport Gun Implement) ??? Conn. I’ve attached some pictures for you guys to look at and give me an idea of just what this stuff is. Thanks in advance. RRM
How much detail do you wish? What you have is old handloading tools for the particular gauge, which from what you said is a 10 ga. Plus a wooden cleaning rod. The one device is a roll crimping tool. There are two shot dippers. A tin of primers. Repriming tools. I expect the bag to have contained shot maybe or wads. The wooden loading block so as to not tip a shell over and spill its contents (I was always spilling BBs in Mom’s kitchen and can still do it now I am grown up). Do NOT throw the items away as they do have value! Now as to how much? I’ve no real idea. Ward’s Auction often has similar tools individually, but the box had contained some old shotgunner’s reloading kit. It would go nicely with some old fowling piece! Tim
November 7, 2015
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RRM-
Looks like all you need is some BP, shot and a nice 1887. Should be able to scare up an 1887 in Cody in a few months. I think I may have an extra can of powder.
Mike
Hey Tim and Mike, thanks for responding. Yeah, I figured it was for reloading the 10 gauge maybe the 1887 or the 1901. Just curious if this stuff has any value. I’m not interested in it, but it was given to me so I feel guilty if I sell it. On the other hand if it is worth something then I hate to see it thrown out. I would like to give it to someone that is a cartridge collector who could use it in their display, but don’t want to give it to someone who’s going to flip it. Maybe just hang on to it until the right situation presents itself. You are correct with your guess Tim, the bag does have some shot in it. Thanks again. RRM
RRM, by any chance are you coming to Cody or to Greeley this summer or spring? I do not wish to just take it from you but would try to buy it at some price agreeable to all. I have a 1901 but it is a bit new for the items. I do acquire and hang onto stuff that I find interesting. If none else I could buy your dinner?
Tim
Tim, I was fortunate enough that the wife and I were able to attend Cody this past year for the first time and I was rewarded by meeting Mike, Bert, Seewin and even broke bread with the main man “Blue Ridge Parson” at the banquet, “Ole Blue Ridge and I have a thing for the 52 Sporter”, but this year not so lucky. I’m putting a new roof on the house and the barn needs some loot sunk into it also, so Cody will have to wait another year, but thanks for the dinner offer.
Here’s some more data taken from the reloading implements. On the head of the brass shells, which measure 2.75″, are stamped U.M.C. No. 10. On the lid of the primer can it reads 250 Improved U.M.C. #2 and on the wooden cleaning rods it stamped B.G.I. Co. Pat. App. 383. I do have a question. What is the wooden rod with the spike (nail) sticking out on the end used for? Cleaning out the primer pocket? See ya, RRM
You should have a wooden dowel with a spike to use with the wooden “washers” looking things to punch out primers. Then the metal loops are used to reprime the shell. The dowel with the smooth end is used to seat the wads. Dippers are used for powder and shot (OLD guidelines were about the same volumes of powder and shot. BLACK powder of course!) Lastly an over shot wad is seated, and then the crimping tool is used to either roll crimp paper hulls or to taper brass shells to lock in the overshot wad. Does this suffice? As I understand it, many of the old market hunters carried their reloading kit to the boat and reloaded when shooting got a bit slow. That way they didn’t need a lot of shells before going out. Unfortunately by doing so with brass shells the powder residue would work on the brass on the insides. If I’ve missed anything please ask. If I don’t know the answer I will make one up! Not really. Tim
Another thing to remember that a lot of people don’t know about shot gunning back in the day when this set was used was you couldn’t just go buy shells. Winchester (along with all the other makers) didn’t sell loaded shells until the year 1894. Before then they only sold New Primed Empties for either Brass or Paper Shells.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Tim, never thought about knocking out the spent primers. That “nail” makes sense now. Maverick, did not know that about when factory shot gun shells became available. And yes the brass shells that I have are primed. Guess I learned a little out of all this. Thanks again fella’s. See ya, RRM
RRM, Were I you, I would carefully keep the items somewhere nice and enjoy them. Day dream of the old days with skies full of ducks or geese. Maybe now get an early 10 ga side by side to go with the set and just enjoy them! Or an early 1887! Tim
You know Tim, that sounds like pretty solid advice. I think maybe I’ll just sit on this stuff for a while and see what happens. See ya, Scott
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