QB how is the round brass insert held in place in the blocks?

JLouis

Looks like work by Schoyen or Petersen. I have had a couple just like the one shown.

So much for the memory!!!

If memory serves me right I have seen similar by Pope in Ray Smiths story of Pope rifles minus the one screw.

JLouis

Very interesting! This is a pic of a mold that I believe was made by Fielding B. Hall in Los Angeles sometime in the 1930's;

There is a slotted screw on each side of the mold to hold the inserts in. Look at the skill of the venting. Whoever made this was someone who has done a lot of them. John, I'll look in Ray Smiths book. Tom, are you saying that your Schoyen molds had round inserts instead of the dovetail ones that are usually seen? Thanks to everyone for their comments. Keep them coming.

I don't think it was either Pope or Schoyen both would have made it so the blocks closed completely not just the insert. Also the insert is off center to miss the pin I don’t think that either smith would have done that as it allows the mold to heat and cool unevenly. 
I don’t know if the work is too old but Bud Welsh had the right combination of good / shoddy work to have turned this out. 

40 Rod

QB, That mold has a lot of merit and made by an excellent machinist. 
Boring for the brass insert with fixed handles is no small task.
He got the isnert as close to center as possible given the cutout next to the hinge.
The brass insert would be replacable for different size molds. Much easier than than new handles or making new mold blocks.
Mold cavity appears lathe turned with the nose the same diameter as the top of the grooves.
Don't know who did it but admire his work.
Chuck

i just marvel at this level of skilled work, surely done by a master machinist wearing a apron and smoking a pipe. and all the while using manual machines and working out of a gerstner tool box....man do i miss the era!