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December 21, 2006
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I just acquired this ’76 from the family of the original owner, 4th. generation. This one has been in the family’s living room , over the fire place for at least 60 years, so I was told by the fella I got it from and was bought new by His great-great grandfather in 1883. Anyway I ‘m asking what these loading tools would reasonably be worth. Everything is nice and tight , gun and tools, and has considerable original finish. 
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
December 9, 2002
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Nice Rifle Henry. Usually when rifles are found hanging over a fireplace they don’t look that good! IMO! That rifle looks like it was taken down and wiped, frequently with an oil rag, or at least addressed so rust and corrosion didn’t set in. I’m sure Maverick will be along and can comment on the Value of the loading tools. Brady has helped several of us here in that department. He’s an expert in that area. IMO! 
Congrats,
Antonio
November 13, 2008
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Looks like a decent bullet mold and a 1880 spoon/dipper loading tool. $225-$275 US for the set .
Jeremy Scott.
WACA LIFE MEMBER, CFM MEMBER, ABKA MEMBER, JSSC MEMBER, MNO HISTORIAN
May 23, 2009
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Jeremy is right in the ballpark as far as value goes. I’ve seen such a set go for slightly more or less than that range. It would take a while and you’d be hard pressed to find a set in better condition. Me personally I would not sell them and keep them with the rifle. But each their own.
You have no way of proving it 100% but based on what you’ve described of family history “provenance” along with the markings, type and condition of the tools. It is my opinion that they are likely original to the rifle as they are correct for the time period. In 1884 Winchester switched from making the handle with “Spoon Handles” to “Tong Handles” (Collector Nomenclature). So basically the last year the tool was available was when it was purchased with the rifle. The wood handle on the mold is not original but likely a period addition.
If you don’t plan on actually using the tools to reload with, make a nice shadow box for them to keep with the rifle.
I mean when was the last time you found another Winchester that came with original accoutrements?
If they were mine I’d even get a letter from the family stating the facts as such. It would still be conjecture, as someone could pair a set of tools with a rifle and you wouldn’t have a way to prove one way or the other. But such is life.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
December 21, 2006
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Ya’ Maverick, I’ve already done all that, letter from the family and all. I was just wanting to get an idea what kind of value these items add to the rifle, and no , I won’t be splitting them up.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
April 30, 2023
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Very cool find/hunt. Did the letters include any cool old photographs or personal stories about the purchase itself etc. etc.? Would love to hear it if you can share…
December 21, 2006
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The story of the Grandfather packing the gun ,etc. then taking the train to Alberta,(2500 mi.) to go moose hunting , back in the 1930’s. And the story of how the gun always held a place of prominance ,(over the fireplace) in the living room of the family home. Yes definately a nice find.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
July 31, 2005
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Someone has added a wooden handle to the mold, but only on one side. One can presume there might have been another wooden handle for the other side. Possibly lost? I don’t think it affects the value. Nice rifle and set of original reloading tools.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
November 7, 2015
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Bill Hockett said
Someone has added a wooden handle to the mold, but only on one side. One can presume there might have been another wooden handle for the other side. Possibly lost? I don’t think it affects the value. Nice rifle and set of original reloading tools.
The handles on some of mine are loose, have the same problem with some modern mould handles. All are mostly useless for me as I use welding gloves as a safety measure. Wooden handles make it possible to use normal leather gloves for short casting sessions but it takes tough skin and/or determination for longer sessions. If I had a set of mould handles from the same period I would put them on this mould. And yes, I’d probably pour a few hot ones! These old Winchester moulds make good bullets when in good condition.
Mike
December 21, 2006
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I won’t be casting any bulletts for this gun any time soon, it came with 20 original rounds , 20 reloads, about 50 empty cases and the same cast bullets, a few other tools for decapping, sizing etc., a ball of bees wax, and this extremely well made tiny screw driver
.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
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