An ebay curiosity

[butlersrangers]

This item is currently for sale on ebay. It is described as a 'barrel tool', but, I would think it more likely an ammunition gauge, given the "Frankford Arsenal" marking.

It is dated "1905 J.M.G." (or J.M.C.) and one side is marked 'MODEL 1898' and the other side is marked 'MODEL 1903'.

IMHO it must have been used to check certain dimensions on .30 U.S. Army cartridges (.30-40) and .30-03 Springfield cartridges.

Any thoughts or answers?

[Local Boy]

I've seen a similar item as part of a Frankford Arsenal Reloading Kit displayed on the Trapdoor Collectors website.

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/reloadingkits.html

[butlersrangers]

Thanks 'Local Boy'. The link you provided shows a 1905 vintage set used to reload .30-40 and .30-03 ammo.

It appears the ebay item may be a Die or Gauge from one of these reloading sets.

The ebay item has been pretty banged up, probably from being used for some unintended purpose!

[butlersrangers]

Franklin B. Mallory (The Krag Rifle Story) and William S. Brophy (The Krag Rifle & The 1903 Springfield Rifle) used photos of various early 1900's Frankford Reloading Tools in their books. They both show the '1905 Set', also shown, in the Link posted by 'Local Boy'.

While not specifically identified, I believe the dual purpose 'plate' was a gauge used to check certain aspects of reloaded .30-40 and .30-03 cartridges.

Could "J.M.G." stand for something like, "Jacketed Munitions Gauge"?

[gnoahhh]

I wish ebay searches for original old Frankford Arsenal stuff didn't include millions of pages of new Frankford Arsenal reloading products!

[butlersrangers]

"Springfield Armory", too!