Scissor Bullet Mold

PeriodLate 18th century

MediumIron

Dimensions1 × 5.5 in. (2.5 × 14 cm)

ClassificationsMilitary Artifacts

Credit LineGift of Miss J. Mabel Brown, 1963

Object number2018.506

DescriptionA "scissor type" mold made of iron, with two arms that can be opened or closed. When closed, the mold at the top of the piece is approximately one half inch wide and .75 inches deep. Each side of the mold has a small section carved out which form a sprue hole when joined together in the closed position.
NotesBullet molds were carried by soldiers to make bullets as needed in the field. This scissor type bullet mold was designed to cast one bullet at a time by pouring molten lead into the sprue hole and allowing it to harden in the mold. Some bullet molds, such as this one, were designed to trim excess metal that filled in the sprue hole.

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