Trousse/tool set mystery

Montino Bourbon · 24th April 2008, 02:23 AM

Looks like a kit used for removing bullets (Balls) from wounds, my guess.

David · 24th April 2008, 03:28 AM

I'm going to take a wild guess and suggest that it might have something to do with opium.

t_c · 24th April 2008, 04:54 AM

Any signs that the tweezers could have been used for casting lead musket balls? Tweezers for casting, chisel to remove sprue, knife for knife's sake....

Montino Bourbon · 26th April 2008, 02:33 AM

Is more massive, so it doesn't deform when molten lead is poured into it.

The first pic is of a bullet extractor; the second a bullet mold.

dennee · 26th April 2008, 03:58 AM

I'm inclined to believe that tc is onto something here. The 'mold' does look like, when closed, it would have a hole into which to pour molten lead. And lead's melting point is half that of iron.

I know that there are some (one-sided) scoop-type bullet extractors, as well as forceps, screw and gimlet-type, but it seems like an extractor that is expected to close around a bullet (naturally deformed by its impact) within a wound would be rather uncomfortable and hard to manage, given that the tool itself and certainly the room needed to wield it would likely be wider than the wound itself. The item shown doesn't look like it could be manipulated in the sense of scissoring it open and closed. It looks like you could somehow tie it closed, pour in the lead, let it cool, then pop it open.

Nagawarrior · 26th April 2008, 04:33 AM

I don't think it is a bullet mould, because of the diminutive size of this piece, and the "tweezers" is awkward to hold and close. You have to hold it near ball, to keep it closed. Medical use would be difficult for the same reason. Please see the new pics. I have a common ink pen placed for perspective.
I had an opinion from a friend, that perhaps it might be used to repair tack; horse riding gear. ??
Thanks,
Stephen*

Montino Bourbon · 27th April 2008, 04:44 AM

Perhaps a nose picker?

24th April 2008, 02:23 AM	#1
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	Bullet extractor Looks like a kit used for removing bullets (Balls) from wounds, my guess.

26th April 2008, 02:33 AM	#4
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	A bullet mold... Is more massive, so it doesn't deform when molten lead is poured into it. The first pic is of a bullet extractor; the second a bullet mold. Attached Images

26th April 2008, 04:33 AM	#6
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	I don't think it is a bullet mould, because of the diminutive size of this piece, and the "tweezers" is awkward to hold and close. You have to hold it near ball, to keep it closed. Medical use would be difficult for the same reason. Please see the new pics. I have a common ink pen placed for perspective. I had an opinion from a friend, that perhaps it might be used to repair tack; horse riding gear. ?? Thanks, Stephen* Last edited by Nagawarrior; 26th April 2008 at 05:27 AM.

27th April 2008, 04:44 AM	#7
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	It is rather small.... Perhaps a nose picker?

24th April 2008, 03:28 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I'm going to take a wild guess and suggest that it might have something to do with opium.

24th April 2008, 04:54 AM	#3
t_c Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ca, usa Posts: 92	Any signs that the tweezers could have been used for casting lead musket balls? Tweezers for casting, chisel to remove sprue, knife for knife's sake....

26th April 2008, 03:58 AM	#5
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	I'm inclined to believe that tc is onto something here. The 'mold' does look like, when closed, it would have a hole into which to pour molten lead. And lead's melting point is half that of iron. I know that there are some (one-sided) scoop-type bullet extractors, as well as forceps, screw and gimlet-type, but it seems like an extractor that is expected to close around a bullet (naturally deformed by its impact) within a wound would be rather uncomfortable and hard to manage, given that the tool itself and certainly the room needed to wield it would likely be wider than the wound itself. The item shown doesn't look like it could be manipulated in the sense of scissoring it open and closed. It looks like you could somehow tie it closed, pour in the lead, let it cool, then pop it open.