RCBS threaded shell holder
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The "adapter" threads has been welded on. You can see the root (looks like MIG, one spot at a time so's not to ruin the heat treat) in the second picture and where it's been machined off in the third. Most likely a nut at the time of "manufacture". My GUESS is, it's 1/2 X 20.
RJ
RJ
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That is what I thought too. Here is a [not so good!] photo of shell holders showing female threads: RF Wells reloading press & Scale
If it's not a Wells, it could be an ECHO (E.C. Herkner Co.), see theses shell holders:
Vintage Echo Reloading Press Screw on Style Shellholder Size # No. 5 | eBay
And: Vintage Echo Reloading Press Screw on Style Shellholder Size # No. 6 | eBay
P.S. Wells made some of the models of Herter's presses.
ECHO made the first run of RCBS Junior presses, which would explain the RCBS stamping on the photo of the OP's shell holder.
More info: Old Echo press
Information On R F Wells Model C Press?
Hey folks, I just bought an R F Wells Model C press that looks rather similar to the old Herter's Model 3 metallic "C" frame press. They are both massive old beasts. Like the Herter's press, the ram on the Wells press is set up for screw on shell holders. First I would like to know...
www.marlinowners.com
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Doesn't explain the difference in color between the shell holder patina and the shiny of the added piece, the obvious root of the weld and difference in machine marks. IMO
RJ
RJ
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The external machine marks in the third photo look [to me] to be consistent over the length. The difference in color appears to be rust on the upper part, which could be the result of that portion being extended above the press ram bore, with the 'shiny' portion being protected within the ram bore (with lube), while the press was stored for an extended period of time. Sound plausible?
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I am in agreement w/RJ based on enlarging pic #2. On the inside view the ripples shown inside do not correspond with being machined. Look a LOT more like typical TIG welding practices. Added, if you zoom WAY in on pic #3 you can see some sqigglies in the outer surface that are consistent with typical TIG welding margins & VERY inconsistent with marks left by typical lathe turning.
I also agree w/ Crooked Creek about the difference in patina on the exterior. It could be caused by either the adaptor being withdrawn into the ram housing OR the operator mainly touching the topmost portion during case insertion & removal.
If one measured the OD of the shell holder & compared it to typical RCBS shell holders it MIGHT give some insight. I think it would be pretty difficult to hold the part in a lathe & uniformly turn the complete OD in one pass.
I also agree w/ Crooked Creek about the difference in patina on the exterior. It could be caused by either the adaptor being withdrawn into the ram housing OR the operator mainly touching the topmost portion during case insertion & removal.
If one measured the OD of the shell holder & compared it to typical RCBS shell holders it MIGHT give some insight. I think it would be pretty difficult to hold the part in a lathe & uniformly turn the complete OD in one pass.
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0.571" is the minimum minor internal thread diameter for a 5/8-20 Class 2A thread, with 0.582" being the maximum. But 0.571" is within half a thousandth of the middle of the range for a 5/8-18 thread of either class 1A or 2A (0.565"–0.578"), and would even fall within the range for class 3A (which I guarantee it is not). So I think the greater likelihood is that it is 5/8-18.
RJ is right about the welding. When I saw the second image in the OP, I wasn't sure those weren't just drill chatter marks at the bottom of the thread. But when you blow it up, you can see beads that splattered a little during the welding down near 6:00. Also, the spaces surrounding the welds become clear when you go close in (nice sharp photo, BTW!). Based on that and where the metal color changes and has rust traces, it looks like someone ground the T-slot flange off the bottom of an RCBS shell holder and also took off the chamfer from the bottom of the shell holding portion, welded that threaded portion on, and then ground the whole outside of it flush in a lathe. Nobody would manufacture a shell holder in quantity that way, so you seem to have a one-off or part of some shop's very small specialty run. Since 5/8-18 is a standard NFPA air cylinder rod thread, my new guess is this is an adapter for someone trying to make a pneumatic loading press and was never intended for an existing reloading press. I can see some folks getting ideas like that if they had access to a machine shop and some air cylinders lying around.
RJ is right about the welding. When I saw the second image in the OP, I wasn't sure those weren't just drill chatter marks at the bottom of the thread. But when you blow it up, you can see beads that splattered a little during the welding down near 6:00. Also, the spaces surrounding the welds become clear when you go close in (nice sharp photo, BTW!). Based on that and where the metal color changes and has rust traces, it looks like someone ground the T-slot flange off the bottom of an RCBS shell holder and also took off the chamfer from the bottom of the shell holding portion, welded that threaded portion on, and then ground the whole outside of it flush in a lathe. Nobody would manufacture a shell holder in quantity that way, so you seem to have a one-off or part of some shop's very small specialty run. Since 5/8-18 is a standard NFPA air cylinder rod thread, my new guess is this is an adapter for someone trying to make a pneumatic loading press and was never intended for an existing reloading press. I can see some folks getting ideas like that if they had access to a machine shop and some air cylinders lying around.
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Or possibly a bullet swaging press, as some used a shell holder to hold the punches(?).
Echo shellholder?
Accidently came across this on eBay this morning.
I should have written "screw on" or "Echo" in the search engine instead of "threaded."
My guess now after all the good answers here is someone needed an Echo shellholder, couldn't find one to buy, so made one using an RCBS shellholder.
The size looks right, missing is the slot for the wrench to tighten which was probably unneeded.
Coincidently the one for sale on eBay is only a few miles from here.
Accidently came across this on eBay this morning.
I should have written "screw on" or "Echo" in the search engine instead of "threaded."
My guess now after all the good answers here is someone needed an Echo shellholder, couldn't find one to buy, so made one using an RCBS shellholder.
The size looks right, missing is the slot for the wrench to tighten which was probably unneeded.
Coincidently the one for sale on eBay is only a few miles from here.
echo reloading for sale | eBay
Get the best deals for echo reloading at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!
www.ebay.com
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Interesting. I've never heard of "Echo" reloading tools.
RJ
RJ
I had not heard of Echo either.
Here is a press on eBay, I wonder what dies Echo used
Edit: Dies look like a standard 7/8-14 thread and Echo was in Boise Idaho
Here is a press on eBay, I wonder what dies Echo used
Edit: Dies look like a standard 7/8-14 thread and Echo was in Boise Idaho
Vintage ECHO "C" Model Reloading Press Teal | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage ECHO "C" Model Reloading Press Teal at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
This thread has been somewhat of a surprise to me for lack of a better term.
A few years ago I searched online about this shellholder and found nothing.
Then searched again just before I posted this thread with the pictures I had taken.
It was in the next day or two I got the email from eBay completely unexpected telling me of an Echo shellholder with a picture posted for sale.
Prior to that, I had never heard of Echo reloading.
I had heard of things like this happening to people, ads sent to them relating to products from a recent conversation they had near an internet device, a phone, or Alexa but this has been a first for me.
I honestly don't know what to say or think,
Orwellian 1984ish?
A few years ago I searched online about this shellholder and found nothing.
Then searched again just before I posted this thread with the pictures I had taken.
It was in the next day or two I got the email from eBay completely unexpected telling me of an Echo shellholder with a picture posted for sale.
Prior to that, I had never heard of Echo reloading.
I had heard of things like this happening to people, ads sent to them relating to products from a recent conversation they had near an internet device, a phone, or Alexa but this has been a first for me.
I honestly don't know what to say or think,
Orwellian 1984ish?
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According to a 2013 post on the Castboolits form, ECHO is an acronym for E. C. Herkner Co. It claims he built the first RCBS Jr. presses for RCBS, as well. He apparently retired and sold it to a Canadian company that tried to keep the design alive under the Quako brand. A couple of things were against it. One that is missing from the weld-up shell holder is a groove down the side for a small single-tooth spanner wrench that came with it for tightening the holders onto the ram. Herkner also apparently timed the threading of the shell holders, so the opening always faced the reloader when the holder was tight on the ram. That's more fiddly than manufacturers want to have to be for something in the reloading press price range. Anyway, you can guess from that how much Herkner cared about the product, so it is likely to be very well made.
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"Fiddly", a well worn highly technical term implying over enjineered & unnecessarily had to make.
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