This high quality brass mold in 40 caliber is for a paper patch bullet. The interesting thing about this one is the "A. J. Staus" marking on the handle. A. J. Staus was a gunsmith in Missoula in the early 1880s. Rarely one may find Sharps rifles marked by Staus, and this mold was on display with just such a rifle at the recent Denver gun show (May 2002). It is not clear if the mould was owned or sold by Staus, or, if indeed, he made the mould. The overall "look" of the mould suggests possible European or British manufacture to some observers. In either case, it certainly is a great piece of American history!