So you know what that means, you gonna haffta melt your lead over an open fire now too!!!!

Although final verdict must await actual receipt and inspection of course, I am well pleased with a successful online auction bid today for some antique Winchester loading tools for the .45-75 - what I believe to be a Model 1880 "Small Handle" loading tool, a Model 1894 loading tool and a bullet mould … all of which appear to be in pretty good shape from the single online photo. 



The auction included quite a number of antique loading tool lots, but unfortunately the descriptions were lacking any specific detail regarding condition, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will be in useable condition, based on their apparent external condition.

Although I have a Lee Hand Press for "field loading" (the kind that takes the same dies used in a bench-mounted press) I have long thought it would be neat to have an actual original vintage loading tool for that purpose … now, I hopefully have two different vintage tools for the .45-75 cartridge!

87 and mostly sunny here. On my way to the pool.

I like that feller's stripey socks.

Nice photos, Ken.  I always enjoy poring over gun-related historical records.

Here is a photo from the Hawaii Archives of Masonic Temple Squad 5 of the Citizen Guard, Hawaii, taken in 1895.  In a squad of 27 men (and one small boy, who appears to be unarmed), I think I see four Trapdoors, four 1876 Win Muskets, one 1876 Win Carbine, three Sharps-Borchardts, one Mod 1879 Rem Lee, seven full-length magazine Winchesters (I think they're '92s), maybe a couple shotguns, and a few others I can't quite identify.  I feel I should recognize the one tucked under the arm of the gent in the light-colored suit near the center of front row, but just can't quite make it out, although some features suggest a rolling block. 

It looks like it was a fun, "bring your own gun" kind of rifle squad, but a logistical nightmare if it ever came to fighting.