Ideal Perfection molds were made with an adjusting screw which allowed the weight of the bullet to be continuously adjustable over a fairly broad range of bullet weights.  Most Perfection molds seen produce grooved bullets for use with bullet lubricant.  Ideal also made a specialized mold for producing adjustable weight smooth bullets for use with paper patches...that mold is called the "cylindrical"; an example is illustrated on the Ideal front page.  Uncommonly, one encounters an early Perfection model mold with no provision for lubricating grooves.  Here is an example of the usual type, showing the flat based bullet with grease grooves.  This mold is marked 37584 for the 38-55.

Here is one of the unusual Perfection molds for making smooth bullets for use with paper patches.  This one is marked 35 M for the 35 Maynard.  This particular example also has the special order "cocobolo" handles which are very seldomly seen.  The Ideal Handbooks #4 & #5 (and perhaps others too) note:  "The lovers of extra fine tools are growing in numbers every day. To such we would say that we make (when ordered) fine, heavy extra finished moulds with polished cocobolo handles."  One could reasonably speculate that this tool probably came as an accessory for one of the fine cased Maynard rifles, but, of course, we will never know for sure.

Here is another example of a Perfection mold for paper patch bullets. This one is marked 38-55 M. P., presumably corresponding to patched bullets for the 38-55 Marlin Ballard.  Notice that both of the examples of Perfection molds for paper patched bullets show a dome shaped base plate, thus allowing room at the base of the bullet for a little excess patch.  This particular example was acquired along with its original box.

The users of paper patched bullets frequently desire a lighter or a heavier bullet than can be purchased.  To meet this requirement we have produced a mould that will enable the possessor to experiment to his heart's content.  With it the bullets can be varied in length and weight as the user wishes.  It is complete and perfect.  There are no detachable parts, nothing to get out of order.  The .32 caliber will make bullets from 135 grs to 200 grs, and the other calibers in the same proportion.  This mould is designed especially for patched bullets.  They are cast with a cavity in the base.  This cavity is for the double purpose of upsetting or expanding the bullet and furnishing a receptacle for the twist of the patch paper.

These moulds will only be made for the following sizes: .32-20; .32-35 Maynard & Stevens; .32-40 Marlin; .32-40 Stevens; 35 Cal. Maynard; .38-55; all .40 calibres; .45 calibre Sharps and .38-330 Rabbeth.

Price of this mould .32 calibre................................2.50
   "      "      "        "      .38, .40 and .45 calibre.........3.00
   "      "      "        "      35 Maynard & Stevens........3.00
   "      "      "        "      .38-55-330 Rabbeth............3.00

If you are interested in reading more about the Ideal adjustable molds see....

Chamberlain, R. H., Ideal Adjustable Bullet Molds, The Gun Report, Volume 38, Number 8 (January 1993), pp. 20-28.