Batch of .38 Special on Herter's Press

[Otto]

Not all number 3’s had this ability. I don’t know when Herters made the mod.

Herters never made anything. They would copy other companies designs, re-brand it and outsource production to the lowest bidder. They did this not only with reloading tools but practically everything thing else they sold ie. fishing gear, camping supplies etc. In essence, Herters was the Harbor Freight of sporting goods back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was strictly a mail order business that went bankrupt in the early ‘70s. But some of the original Herters branded tooling wasn’t bad, it just depended on who actually made it.
Cabelas bought the naming rights for whatever reason.

 

[film495]

I have an old Herter's case trimmer, I'd bet money it is the same as the Forster I got a few years ago, parts swap back and forth perfectly, all exactly the same except the die body looks brass and the old one looks aluminum.

 

[Reinz]

Herters never made anything. They would copy other companies designs, re-brand it and outsource production to the lowest bidder. They did this not only with reloading tools but practically everything thing else they sold ie. fishing gear, camping supplies etc. In essence, Herters was the Harbor Freight of sporting goods back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was strictly a mail order business that went bankrupt in the early ‘70s. But some of the original Herters branded tooling wasn’t bad, it just depended on who actually made it.
Cabelas bought the naming rights for whatever reason.

That‘s true for MOST of their products.

However, a lot of their reloading equipment was their own. Especially their presses.

They had their presses casted either locally or semi locally.

In fact, it was Wells that copied the Super 3 as their own.

I have most of the Herter’s presses and can’t think of any that they may have copied Except for one, and that was the Model 9 H press.

The number 9 press was an H style that closely resembled the Dunbar, which may be the reason it was only made for two years. It appeared in the 1954 and 1955 catalog and then discontinued.

Do the research and will see that most of their presses were very unique and unlike any others. Like the 234 Turret, the Model 81 double ram, the Super O, The Super U. All very distinct presses.

I can’t get to my presses for pics right now, I’ve got a hurt foot and cant unbury them from the shed and shop.

Here are a few internet pics.

Model 234
VVV



Model 9H
VVVV

 

[Reinz]

Not all number 3’s had this ability. I don’t know when Herters made the mod.

I found some notes:

The ability to hold the handle up by adding the spring and detente was 1961 on the Super #3 “NM”, New Model. Then in 1973 it was moved to the left side.

 

[film495]

I found some notes:

The ability to hold the handle up by adding the spring and detente was 1961 on the Super #3 “NM”, New Model. Then in 1973 it was moved to the left side.

mine has the bolt hole for the dentent thing on the left side, but I was always told the press was from the late 1960s.

 

[DustyRusty]

I am trying to make grandpa's cookbook easy for son's & grandsons.
Less intimidating, more inviting for the future reloaders in the family.
Loose leaf makes additions & corrections easy.
A binder with cleaning info for each piece is also a future heirloom.

 

[Reinz]

mine has the bolt hole for the dentent thing on the left side, but I was always told the press was from the late 1960s.

Herters did not advertise reloading tools until 1954. And even then the two presses, The Super 3 and 9H were only shown as drawings. Probably because they had not been made yet.

The point being since the Super 3 came out in the 50’s and was popular in the 60’s, most people just assume all Herters are from the 50/60s era.

Very few reloading tool guys that I speak with realize that Herters still had a presence in the 70’s.

 

[Riomouse911]

I will prep my revolver brass (tumble, decap, resize, flare and prime) and store it in plastic Folgers Coffee tubs until I am ready to load some batches.



This lets me focus on just the powder charge and bullet seating steps. (Its slow, but it works for me.)

Stay safe..

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I will prep my revolver brass (tumble, decap, resize, flare and prime) and store it in plastic Folgers Coffee tubs until I am ready to load some batches.

View attachment 1181970

This lets me focus on just the powder charge and bullet seating steps. (Its slow, but it works for me.)

Stay safe..

I’m not that disciplined. I have grungy range brass I haven’t touched other than to transfer it from a bucket to a box, cleaned (first tumble) brass in boxes, some with processing labels, decapped but not sized, sized but not clean (second tumble), and ready for loading (twice tumbled, second with polish, resized and decapped). I prime using a FA hand prime, then use a press (hand press, Classic Loader or Partner on the bar stool) to flare, charge seat and crimp in two operations, one right after the other.
It works and I enjoy it but I’m not kidding myself that it’s the best, most efficient way to get things done.

 

[film495]

seems like winter is over. about time to find my gear and get these reloads out to a range.