The Model No. 55 Classification
The Model No.55 Classification System presented in this study was developed by Jim Carter over a period of years. It is remarkable in its detail and ingenuity. We look at the whole of this study now and the evolution and dating of the Model No. 55 is presented in a context that makes sense. Prior to Jim's work, it was very difficult to identify and date these measures with any degree of confidence. I picked up this study and made minor additions to Jim's system to account for measure variations discovered, but this Classification System could well be called the "Carter Classification System". The photo to the left shows Jim Carter (foreground) and myself, Gene Taylor (rear). 12/2010, Paso Robles, California.
The Table below reflects a simplified view of the Classification System devised to study the evolution of the Model No. 55 Powder Measure over its 1947 to 2010 life cycle. The amazing thing is how long this product has remained in production, in basically the same configuration. The changes we have noted in this study are most likely the result of changes in material availability, machining techniques and economics. The one big functional change that did occur was the addition of the two screw adjustments for setting the powder charge on the mid and fine slides. It should also be acknowledged that the Model No. 55 owes much of its design to the Ideal Manufacturing Company and the Model No. 5 measure. There are more similarities between the Model No. 5 and the Model No. 55 than there are differences. This really extends the life of the basic design to the 100 year mark.
| Easy to Identify Characteristics | 1A | 1AB | 1B | 1C | 1D | 2A | 2B | 2C | 2Da | 2Db | 2E | 2F | 2G | 2H | 2I | 3A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Body, Paddle Shaped Mounting Screw Head, D.T. Held with Snap Ring and Pin in Annular Grove, No Charge Adjustment Screws, Crank Handle Knob Rotates on Steel Pin. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above except: An unusual hybrid between the 1A and the 1B in the way the drop tube restraint mechanism is configured. Set screw on right but in annular groove. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as 1A above but, D.T. Held with Large Set Screw in counter-bored hole on right side of measure, No annular ring. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, D.T. Held with Knurled Head Thumb Screw in Front of Measure. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, T-Handled Mounting Screw. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, Two Charge Adjustment Screws Added, Set Screw on Collar to secure Large Slide. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, Small Knurled Thumb Screw on Collar to secure Large Slide, White Label with Black Letters. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, Large Clamp Boss, Label is Clear with Black Letters, Extruded non-reactive Reservoir Cylinder, Last old Lyman Company. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, Body Color changed to Gray, now made by The Leisure Products Group. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, no label and now made by. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above, but the Knocker changed form one-piece Cast Iron to a two-piece assembly. Reservoir lid changed to long black flexible plastic, commercial tube cap. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but body is now Orange but Lighter that before, Reservoir now pressed into cast body. Made by the new Lyman Co. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, Long, Bright Aluminum, Knurled Crank Handle Knob. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but D.T. Holding Thumb Screw moved to Left Side of Measure. | X | |||||||||||||||
| Same as above but, Finish is now Gray/Black Hammer Tone, Powder Baffle added. | X | |||||||||||||||
| This is the Black Powder Measure. | X |