Bag mold caliber

[mjpchief]

I bought a box of stuff at a real estate auction to get a bag mold that was in the box. I couldn’t get my hands on the mold to see what caliber it was. After I got it I cleaned it up and poured lead in it I measured the ball and found it to be .405. Too big for a .40 and too small for a 41. Anybody have any idea what caliber this ball was for? Can’t find anything in .38 cal in a muzzling revolver.

 

[tenngun]

I bought a box of stuff at a real estate auction to get a bag mold that was in the box. I couldn’t get my hands on the mold to see what caliber it was. After I got it I cleaned it up and poured lead in it I measured the ball and found it to be .405. Too big for a .40 and too small for a 41. Anybody have any idea what caliber this ball was for? Can’t find anything in .38 cal in a muzzling revolver.

A lot of moulds were custom. I would hazard a gun that was made in an unusual caliber or freshened.
But often a load was used that was looser than todays shooters like.
But I’m thinking the first American contract rifle was 485 caliber or so. And Boone had a .47

 

[Notchy Bob]

According to my gauge chart, .405” balls would run exactly 100 to the pound. Do you see “100,” or any other marks on the mould?

Old-time gunsmiths were not constrained by standard calibers as we are today. Those balls would have likely been for about a .42 caliber rifle.

As it is an antique, you may want to just preserve it, especially if it is marked for gauge. However, Larry Callahan might be able to re-cherry it to a larger size if needed.

Notchy Bob

 

[mjpchief]

No markings on the mold. Just bought it to have. Told the wife it is an excuse to buy another gun to fit the mold. She doesn’t seem to agree with my reasoning. Go figure.

According to my gauge chart, .405” balls would run exactly 100 to the pound. Do you see “100,” or any other marks on the mould?

Old-time gunsmiths are not constrained by standard calibers as we are today. Those balls would have likely been for about a .42 caliber rifle.

As it is an antique, you may want to just preserve it, especially if it is marked for gauge. However, Larry Callahan might be able to re-cherry it to a larger size if needed.

Notchy Bob