Here is an example of the beautifully forged/milled early 1880 tool which was originally furnished with a deep polished blue finish. There are three different patterns of markings observed with these tools. The early tools have only a caliber marking and nothing else. Later tools include a patent line immediately adjacent to the caliber mark...it reads, "PAT. SEPT. 14, 1880". Yet later tools have the caliber marking and patent date on one side and the Winchester name on the other. This Winchester tool is the first to bear the manufacturer's name. The tool illustrated here has both caliber marking and the Winchester company stamping. The caliber is 45 GOV. These tools typically have the Berdan decapping chisel.
