Here are three examples of early iron handled Winchester molds. These molds are marked "45 60", "44 W" and "45 W". The actual markings are shown along with the cavity profile. The caliber stamps on these tools are small, approximately half the height of caliber marks on later tools, and appear to have been hand stamped. The bullets made by these tools would have been for the 45-60, 44-40 and 45-75 WCF calibers, respectively. Molds marked with small caliber markings are typically for earlier or unusual calibers, lack a block alignment pin, and lack the "Winchester Repeating Arms Co" stamping on the side of the mold blocks; all features which suggest they were probably early production items. They are not commonly seen. And, here is another example; this one in the rare 40-50 caliber.
