Vintage Handloader???

[gregkl]

A co-worker brought me this since she knows I reload. She had no idea what it is and I'm not sure either. There are no markings on it of any kind but it appears to be some type of a cartridge loader.

It looks like some vintage shot shell loaders I have seen pictures of.

Then again it might an olive pit remover.

Any one have any input on what this is? Thanks.

 

[SSE]

I think that might be a nut cracker

 

[Mgderf]

Does it have threads inside the end opposite of the handle?

 

[gregkl]

Does it have threads inside the end opposite of the handle?

Yes and it is reversible. Two different size ends.

 

[Mgderf]

Yes and it is reversible. Two different size ends.

Could be a reloading "press" of sorts.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

A Google image search resulted in Google thinking it was a chisel. I think it was focusing on the handle.

 

[Leo]

Looks like a finish crimper for paper shotshells. WIthout measurements, or a size reference it is hard to tell.

The old Lyman shotshell loading manuals had pictures of a lot of little gizmos like that. I started with a Lee Loader and mallet, and went straight to a MEC press.

 

[gregkl]

Looks like a finish crimper for paper shotshells. WIthout measurements, or a size reference it is hard to tell.

The old Lyman shotshell loading manuals had pictures of a lot of little gizmos like that. I started with a Lee Loader and mallet, and went straight to a MEC press.

Leo, I thought of you when the person gave it to me. I figured you or maybe @Trapper Jim might know.

It is sized to a typical shotshell. I has one end that looks like it would work on 16/12 ga and a smaller end that may work on 410/20ga. You can adjust the length so when you operate the lever it only travels so far. But the inside of each end is concave so I can't see in my non-engineering mind how that would finish the crimp. Seems like it would be flat or maybe even a touch convex.

 

[Leo]

The old shells used a cardboard wad on top the shot and the crimp just rolled over the top. I still roll crimp if loading slugs, but use a rotary tool that fits in a drill press. The friction kind of melts the plastic into a ring at the top of the hull.

 

[Trapper Jim]

Does look like a paper crimper for shotgun shells however it seems homemade as most were vertical operations.

 

[gmcttr]

Google Lens

lens.google.com

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Google Lens

lens.google.com

Mystery solved! I didn't know about Lens. When I tried Google Image search, it thought it was a chisel (guessing because of the handle).

 

[gregkl]

Google Lens

lens.google.com

Not only is that a cool feature, now we know it's a nut cracker! Or maybe not? There are pics of this calling it a nut cracker, yet also a crimper.

 

[gmcttr]

Mystery solved! I didn't know about Lens. When I tried Google Image search, it thought it was a chisel (guessing because of the handle).

I use Chrome as a browser, right click on a photo and select search image with google lens.

 

[Robert Richardson]

It's a thingamajig

 

[SEIndSAM]

Nuts Brazil...

 

[gregkl]

Nuts Brazil...

Yeah, this is my final conclusion. A nut cracker. I'll see what my coworker says when I tell her it's not a reloading device.

 

[bwframe]

I was over at a buddy's house Friday. He had an exact one of these strewn about. I asked him what it was. Nutcracker for sure.