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Post by beaudro on Jul 20, 2011 22:57:07 GMT -5
for 19th and 18th century re-enactors a good documented lead ladle is hard to find. The folding ladles have always been a sore spot as they aren't documented. The only thing I have ever found for casting bullets has been the use of a spoon, a small chance they are describing a ladle.. Here's Washington Irving's description of the Chouteau post: The little hamlet of the Agency was in a complete bustle; the blacksmith's shed, in particular, was a scene of preparation; a strapping negro was shoeing a horse; two half-breeds were fabricating iron spoons in which to melt lead for bullets. An old trapper, in leathern hunting frock and moccasons, had placed his rifle against a work-bench, while he superintended the operation, and gossiped about his hunting exploits This is just 30 minutes away from me on the Verdigris River, Chouteau ran an Indian Agency, or trading post here. They are preparing for a buffalo hunt southwest of this area , the half breeds were probably french/osage. The spoon mentioned is fairly common around buffalo hunters and trappers at this time, there's no mention of a folding ladle, or lead ladle specifically for pouring lead that I have ever seen. I found this picture on peabody-harvard and it reminds me of the spoon that could have been a fairly common thing to make...
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Post by caretaker on Jul 21, 2011 12:19:46 GMT -5
I remember seeing spoons similar to this one in my grandfathers work shop along with other tools. As I recall there was a cast iron pot, a couple of molds and a couple of spoons with traces of lead on them. Some of the stuff was handed down from his father and uncle.
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