Ideal moulds are relatively common and are seen in a bewildering array of calibers and configurations. They were widely used and appreciated when they were first sold, and continue to be valued among those who prefer to load their ammunition with original tools. Here is a composite image showing three relatively early moulds. The lower panel of the image shows a close-up view of the handles of the same three molds, only with the molds turned over.
The iron-tipped handles seen on the 38-45 Bullard mold on the left may also be found on early moulds marked "M.F.A. Co". The handles on those are relatively short and thin, are held in place the iron caps at the end, and have no visible "pins". On the other hand, the molds in the center and on the right can be seen to have iron pins holding each handle in place. The pins on earlier moulds are vertically oriented as seen in these two examples. Vertically oriented pins may enter the handles from above or below (both of these specimens have pins which enter from below). The 40-370 mould in the center has handles with overall profiles similar to those with iron caps, but has the handles pinned on. The 40-300 mould on the right has larger, fuller handles which are pinned into place.
Later variations show horizontally oriented pins, usually pinned into place from the inside of the handles so the handles have to be opened to see them. Yet later moulds have thin ferrules to prevent splitting of the handles. Early Ideal moulds usually have caliber markings on the sprue cutter, but exceptions are seen with some showing caliber markings on the side of mould blocks. Later moulds tend to be marked with the Ideal mold classification system rather than with actual calibers. Those are usually (but not always) marked on the side of the mould blocks. Early Ideal moulds do not have block alignment pins, but later ones do. That change seems to have taken place around the time Marlin owned the company.
