This rare mold is marked "36 R" over "45 A" on the right side and "COLT'S/PATENT" on the sprue cutter. It was originally manufactured in the 1850s or 1860s as a .36 caliber ball and conical bullet mold for a percussion Colt and was re-cut for a .45 Colt bullet for the Colt Single Action Army of western frontier fame. One of these molds is shown on page 190 of "Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study" and noted as "One of two known styles of .45 Colt S.A.A. bullet molds. These molds are believed to be for civilian use and are patterned after the Colt percussion era molds. This one was expressly manufactured as a .45 Caliber, two cavity conical bullet mold with two grease grooves in each bullet."

Very fine with 80% original blue finish and minor wear.