This double cut-off 32 caliber nose-pour mold was made by Merton S. Hendricks. Hendricks lived 1868-1930 and worked most of his life in Aurora, Illinois as a gunsmith and machinist. Gerald O. Kelver has a page (p. 157) in his book 100 Years of Shooters and Gunmakers of the Single Shot Rifles (1975) about Hendricks.

Several Maynard and Ballard rifles are known which are marked as being barreled by Hendricks. Although not widely known, his work was (and is) appreciated by serious target shooters, particularly those living around the Illinois area. In the article mentioned, Kelver describes a three barreled Ballard rifle set, then owned by James Goergen, marked as being put together by Hendricks, and notes in passing that the rifle kit included "old telescope, a Hendrick's (sic) marked mold, palm rest, and bullet starter. There are also extra original bullet cherries which could be used for cutting different molds than those included with the outfit". We can conclude, therefore, that some Hendricks' molds were marked. The workmanship on this one is excellent, and typical of Hendricks' high quality work.