What is this Winchester tool?

[Goatlips]

Pards,

Friend of mine bought an old gunsmith's toolbox with reamers, cutters, etc.   We couldn't figger out what this very well made, very sturdy tool is:  seems like a priming tool but is far too sturdy for just that; one side says
"MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REP ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CT. U.S.A. MOD 1894 PAT. FEBRUARY 18 1894" and on the round knurled handle, "38-55".  The handle looks like it may unscrew but we didn't wrench it. 

Any idea what it's for exactly?

Goatlips

[Pettifogger]

It's for reloading .38-55 ammo.  Good caliber.  Nice tool.  Here's one in .32-40.

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/1894-reloading-32-40.htm

[Goatlips]

Pettifogger,
Thanks for the education.  I got it apart with Kroil and a brass hammer, and have almost figured out how it works.  Sure is a well built tool!
Goatlips

[Goatlips]

Hey Pettifogger, I put mine up on Gunbroker.  Nowhere I looked showed the innards of this tool, so I'm putting my ad up here, NOT to sell the thing but to contribute to the information we got here with a lot of pictures.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=145141278

No post that I could find showed the inside of the tool, and every one was missing the decapping pin, which I think could be replaced with a framing nail with the tip ground off.

Thanks for helping me sell this for my buddy.

Goatlips

[fourfingersofdeath]

It's for reloading .38-55 ammo.  Good caliber.  Nice tool.  Here's one in .32-40.

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/1894-reloading-32-40.htm

Boy, $70, I bet if you had of told the old boy who owned it originally it was going to sell one day for about 3-4 months pay, he would have laughed till the cows came home!