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This soapstone bullet mould was taken from a Boer prisoner in the Western Transvaal in 1902. Three of the projectile moulds are .45-inch calibre and the fourth roughly .5-inch. The iron plate, with aperture for pouring molten lead, is set for the latter size. The .45-in moulds do not appear to be deep enough for the production of Martini-Henry rounds (29mm, opposed to 32mm), so were, I imagine, used to cast bullets for some type of hunting rifle. Either that or the stone has been modified, with 3mm shaved off the top surface.

With two paper labels, inscribed: "BULLET MOULD TAKEN OFF BOER PRISONER. Western Transvaal 1902" and "BULLET MOULD TAKEN FROM BOER [illegible] During S.A. War 1901-02. C.J.M."




Photographed with a Martini-Henry bullet to highlight the 3mm difference between projectile length & mould depth. The stone has been cut down at one end, bisecting one of the individual .45-inch moulds.















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What a fascinating item, Neville. Excellent picture too (as always with your posts).