Old ideal reloading tools

[Calibre 38]

Confused about the different antique Ideal Loading tools.(before the 310 tool) What I mean is they were given a number ex. #3 tool. What were the numbers and differences in the tools?

[Oyeboten]

Can you post an Image of the type of Tool you have in mind?

[Bisley]

Hello, Calibre 38. Your best bety would be to try to find some old re-prints of Ideal handbooks..abbybooks@comcast.net is a good sorce & very reasonable in price..ALOT cheaper than originals!
I have the Ideal Handbook No. 15 reprint, this was from around the turn of the century.
Ideal No. 1 tool..has attached mould..listed for loading smaller pistol ctgs...up to .41 L.C. but also liste .22-10-45 & .22-13-45WCF.
Ideal No. 2 tool..attached mould..listed for target pistol ctg. .32-44 & .38-44 & S&W 38 rifle.
Ideal No. 3 tool..No mould.."The Rifle Cranks Very Own" single & dbl. adj. chamber (single adjustable lets you crimp or not..dbl. adj. allows adjustable bullet seat depth, as well as crimp or not). Rifle calibers from .22-15-60 Stevens to .45-90WCF.
Ideal No. 4 tool...attached mould..This was the original tool..re-loads factory shells to factory specs...no adustment for bullet seating depth & crimps all loads.
Ideal No. 5 tool...This was the ARMORY TOOL..designed specifically for the .45 cal. U.S. Govt. ammunition.
Ideal No. 6 tool...attached mould..Made for grooved bullets only..non adjustable. .25-35WCF thru .50-100 Winchester express.
Ideal No. 8 tool...Special list..designed for cartridges having bullets with a deep cavity at the base...Atached mould, with hollow base forming plug, integeral with mould. Non adjustable, made only for the following: .32 long rifle, .38 long colts, .41 long & .450 British.
Ideal No. 10 tool...Special list..For headless shells. adjustable..made for 6mm U.S.N., 7mm Mauser, .303 British, 8mm Manlicher.
Years later, the #3 double adj. chamber tool was combined with the No. 10 rimless tool, to make the 310 tool of today.

[Calibre 38]

Thank you Bisley, that is the exact info I was looking for. I have Ideal tools for 32 S&W, 30-30, 25-20 and 38-40 at present, one has no mold. I will check it out further, thanks again...Jim

[MMCSRET]

A suggestion; Google: Cornell Publications. They produce reprints of nearly all the Ideal hand books going back to the 19th century. They are well done and very affordable.