Disappearing Bullet Moulds

Kenneth L. Walters · May 7, 2002, 04:19 PM

Lyman stopped selling Ideal Armory moulds in the early 1950's I think. They made them from about 1880 to somewhere in the 1940's.

Though you can occasionally find ones in excellent condition, most need work. One of the people who claimed to be able to repair these blocks, both the blocks themselves and the wood handles, was Jim Colburn. Maybe he can. What he doesn't do, however, is return them. Don't send him anything. You'll never get it back! I'm sure about that. He kept three Ideal Armory moulds of mine that I would value at about $800 and I know others who have had similar problems.

Jim doesn't advertise but if you put up an announcement that you are looking for someone do to this kind of work you may be an e-mail from him.

Steve Smith · May 7, 2002, 04:25 PM

What state and city is Mr. Colburn in?

Kenneth L. Walters · May 7, 2002, 06:01 PM

Jim Colburn
P.O. Box 12
Staplehurst, NE 68439
402-535-2306

WINTERVILLE WILL · May 11, 2002, 11:02 AM

Why, exactly, would you send something,ANYTHING, to someone you know won't return it?! or provide their address? Sounds like a DUH! to me.

Kenneth L. Walters · May 11, 2002, 11:08 AM

I check before sending him the moulds. He came highly recommended. Something, however, obviously went VERY wrong. Opinions as to exactly what vary.

Now he is someone to avoid. If you see the address or phone number, regardless of the name used, you should stay away!

Paul B. · May 13, 2002, 03:21 PM

Mr. Walters. I don't know how long ago you sent him those molds, or by what method, but if you mailed them through the Post Office, you can contact the Postal Inspectors though your local Post Office and file a complaint. I believe what he did constitutes mail fraud.
If you went UPS of Fedex, there may be a federal agency that would handle that as well.
Don't know if that'll help at this late date, but it is something to look at.
If enough complaints reach the proper authorities, Mr. Colburn would be facing some serious hard time at a federal graybar hotel. Sounds to me like that's where he belongs.
paul B.

Steve Smith · May 13, 2002, 03:40 PM

Kenneth, you are talking about this guys, no doubt:

http://members.aol.com/illinewek/faqs/casting.htm

There's a link at the bottom for a Mailing List. Perhaps you should join the mailing list and see if you can get somewhere that way?

Kenneth L. Walters · May 13, 2002, 08:12 PM

Undoubtedly the same guy.

I tried phoning him any number of times. Always got an answering machine. I wrote and e-mailed. Nothing. Finally I had a friend from another state call. They interrupted the answering machine to answer the phone. Just not answering my calls I guess.

A few days after a VERY public campaign to bring attention to this problem, my moulds were sent back. This guy is a true jerk!

May 7, 2002, 04:19 PM	#1
Kenneth L. Walters Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: flagstaff, arizona Posts: 477	Disappearing Bullet Moulds Lyman stopped selling Ideal Armory moulds in the early 1950's I think. They made them from about 1880 to somewhere in the 1940's. Though you can occasionally find ones in excellent condition, most need work. One of the people who claimed to be able to repair these blocks, both the blocks themselves and the wood handles, was Jim Colburn. Maybe he can. What he doesn't do, however, is return them. Don't send him anything. You'll never get it back! I'm sure about that. He kept three Ideal Armory moulds of mine that I would value at about $800 and I know others who have had similar problems. Jim doesn't advertise but if you put up an announcement that you are looking for someone do to this kind of work you may be an e-mail from him.

May 7, 2002, 04:25 PM	#2
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	What state and city is Mr. Colburn in? __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

May 11, 2002, 11:02 AM	#4
WINTERVILLE WILL Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: Winterville, Ga. USA Posts: 50	Why, exactly, would you send something,ANYTHING, to someone you know won't return it?! or provide their address? Sounds like a DUH! to me. __________________ NRA Life SASS Life SBSS Life DAMFOOL #64 45-70...reach out and thump somethin'

May 13, 2002, 03:21 PM	#6
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Mr. Walters. I don't know how long ago you sent him those molds, or by what method, but if you mailed them through the Post Office, you can contact the Postal Inspectors though your local Post Office and file a complaint. I believe what he did constitutes mail fraud. If you went UPS of Fedex, there may be a federal agency that would handle that as well. Don't know if that'll help at this late date, but it is something to look at. If enough complaints reach the proper authorities, Mr. Colburn would be facing some serious hard time at a federal graybar hotel. Sounds to me like that's where he belongs. paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

May 13, 2002, 03:40 PM	#7
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	Kenneth, you are talking about this guys, no doubt: http://members.aol.com/illinewek/faqs/casting.htm There's a link at the bottom for a Mailing List. Perhaps you should join the mailing list and see if you can get somewhere that way? __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

May 7, 2002, 06:01 PM	#3
Kenneth L. Walters Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: flagstaff, arizona Posts: 477	Jim Colburn P.O. Box 12 Staplehurst, NE 68439 402-535-2306

May 11, 2002, 11:08 AM	#5
Kenneth L. Walters Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: flagstaff, arizona Posts: 477	I check before sending him the moulds. He came highly recommended. Something, however, obviously went VERY wrong. Opinions as to exactly what vary. Now he is someone to avoid. If you see the address or phone number, regardless of the name used, you should stay away!

May 13, 2002, 08:12 PM	#8
Kenneth L. Walters Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 1999 Location: flagstaff, arizona Posts: 477	Undoubtedly the same guy. I tried phoning him any number of times. Always got an answering machine. I wrote and e-mailed. Nothing. Finally I had a friend from another state call. They interrupted the answering machine to answer the phone. Just not answering my calls I guess. A few days after a VERY public campaign to bring attention to this problem, my moulds were sent back. This guy is a true jerk!