Here is an example of a first model 1874 Winchester loading tool. This one shows traces of residual black finish; some examples were furnished with gold finish. This one also has the patent date, "Oct 20, 1874" cast into the top surface near the hinge pin. R.H. Chamberlain wrote a nice article in the Gun Report (January 1992, p. 48-50) about these tools...in that article he pointed out that tools finished in black had been observed both with and without patent dates, whereas, all gold finished tools bore the patent date. Further, Chamberlain speculated that the black finished tools without patent date might represent the earliest production, with dated, black finished tools made later and, finally, the gold finished tools made at the end of production. Although unmarked as to caliber, this tool is similar to others observed in that it appears to be for 44 W.C.F. Some of the first model Winchester tools bear small numbers which may be serial numbers. S. James Gooding's article in The Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting (Volume 12, No. 4) entitled "Winchester Reloading Tools", illustrates the boxed example formerly in the Wibberley collection. That example shows a gold finished tool boxed with one of the first model Winchester brass molds. It also has a nice photograph of the box label in which the tool came.
