Here is one of the straight handled variants of BGI mold for large rifle calibers. This particular example is for the 38-55, casting a flat-pointed bullet of 255 grains. Note the S.D. & G marking on the end of the sprue cutter. S.D. & G. was a New York hardware and sporting goods store in operation from about 1878 until well after the turn of the century. Both Winchester and BGI made molds for S.D. & G.; they were sold bearing the S.D. & G. stamp, but not the stamp of the maker. By contracting for production of the molds, S.D. & G. could offer quality products carrying their name with little investment in capital or resources.
Here is another S.D. & G. marked BGI mold. This one has the gracefully curved handles which probably pre-dated the straighter variant. This one is for the 330 grain 40 caliber flat point bullet. This would have been a good bullet for a 40-65 or 40-70 rifle. These molds were nicely finished and the better preserved specimens show a dark blue finish.
