When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
GALLERY LISTING
In keeping with policies this item is being listed with intent to sell but until then I’m also providing here for a point of research & reference as I have found no other information on it aside from what I’m presenting. Enjoy my research and I hope you find it interesting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
For consideration is this beautiful Civil War Colt .36 caliber Navy bullet mold (#M24). A common enough mold, much less so in this condition with >80% original bluing evident. 2 main factors caused me to showcase this fine mold.
Firstly, it is perfectly stamped “Colts Patent” (no apostrophe). I have never seen a 3rd/4th model Navy without the apostrophe - although Rapley mentions in his book that this mold “usually” has the apostrophe (see picture reference).
Secondly, this mold is martially marked. A common enough occurrence? However this mold is marked on the bottom; ‘S.T.B.’. Again this is a rare stamp and location for a Colt mold. Research lead me to a Whitney Revolver bullet mold sold a number of years ago, marked the exact same location & place! A closer review of the mold perfectly matched indicating it is a correct period mark of sub-inspector Samuel T. Bugbee. Interestingly enough, the Dixie Gun Works 2021 reference section ‘Inspector Marks’ lists Mr. Bugbee as only a Starr inspector in 1862 (see reference picture). So this proved he inspected Colt molds at least some time in his career (and DGW needs to update the section to reference inspection of both Colt molds and Whitney).
Lastly, as a final observation I almost see the faint outline of an ‘S’, such as the end of “Colts”, evident in the far right close up picture of the stamp. This mold may have been badly stamped, it removed (mostly), and re-stamped?
Please note that the Colt Accoutrements, 1834-1911 book is for reference only and the book is not included in this listing - however if not owned, it is highly highly recommended to purchase it to pair with this mold. The Whitney Revolver pictures (2) are also for reference/identification only.
Please check out the multiple sales I’ve listed which includes Civil War era bullet molds/moulds, early 1800s-Civil War US buttons, bullets, CDVs, late 19th century capping/uncapping tools, Mauser reloading tools, and rare high end items from the George Moller and Senator Charles Ford estate (of Robin Rapley documentation provenance).
