Standardized Shotshell dimensions.

[Dean Romig]

But was Hayes’ rim cutter made to the later wider size?





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[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

But was Hayes’ rim cutter made to the later wider size?

Next time I see him, I'll ask. I do know that I loaned to another member who reported back that it was perfect. I do not believe there was a "later wider size" but do know that early rim recesses were shallower.

Yes Bill, I was looking at new ones in Clymers catalog. Like the Hayes tool, the Clymer tool is Just for cutting the rim recess. It is not a chamber reamer.

[Bill Murphy]

The one I used, whether it was a Clymer or a Manson, cut all the way up, including the rim recess. It was a very light cut on the forcing cone, didn't take any metal off my cones.

[Pa SxS]

The DH I used to have 1903 (see Avatar) would have trouble closing on new shells and if it would close, would be verry difficult to open. Some different manufacturers new shells would work just fine, some not. The problem seemed to be the brass rim. If there was a slight radius between the wall and rim, it wouldn't seat right. If it was almost a 90 degree angle, they worked fine. I had the rim cut worked on by Dewey.

I'm way to young to know about those planes.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

But was Hayes’ rim cutter made to the later wider size?

I borrowed back the 28ga. rim cutter, part of a set which belonged to James Hayes, now in a private collection. When I owned these tools, I loaned the 28ga. cutter to another member who reported that it worked perfectly, and despite being 100 years old, cut perfectly. I used the darkest hand cutting oil I had and the newly cut surface was great.
It took only a few minutes per side to enlarge the rim recess to .681, removing .003" and .0035".

As you can see, the tool is date stamped '1921' which was common practice for cutting tools. James Hayes, was technically still called a tool maker, though at this time, if I recall, he was Asst. Superintendent.