Featured in this lot is an Extremely Rare S. L. Hart Ideal Reloading Tool, 1884. Provenance: Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, Tombstone, Arizona. This nickeled .44-40 bullet mold was made by the Ideal Manufacturing Company of New Haven, CT. The nickeled mold has the S. L. Hart hallmark stamped on it, the letters S and L over a "heart,". This mold also has stamped initials on the top handle, "JBSMITH". In the context of the O.K. Corral, J.B. Smith was the Justice of the Peace who presided over a preliminary hearing in November 1881 following the shootout. Ike Clanton, after the shootout, filed charges against Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, and Doc Holliday, but the charges were dismissed by Judge J. H. Lucas because of Smith's judicial ineptness. Later, Clanton refiled charges with Smith, but those were also dismissed by Judge Lucas. Samuel Lombard Hart (1830-1893) was a very highly regarded and skilled gunsmith over his ten years in Tombstone. If gun repairs were needed, Hart's on Freemont Street was the place to go, located just a short distance from the famous Fly Photography studio and right next door to the O.K. Corral. On Oct. 26th of 1881 Hart, while working in his store, would be one of the relatively few witnesses to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral that made Tombstone and the Earp's famous. Guns that were re-worked or repaired by Hart were often stamped with his logo, which was the letters S and L over a "heart," an artistic yet compact and simple way of saying "S.L. Hart." S.L. was entrusted with both basic repairs as well as also sought out for his special Colt pistols. Some of Hart's more notable clients were US Marshal Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, outlaw Ike Clanton and Buckskin Frank Leslie. It has been said that the legacy of S.L. Hart as gunsmith to the cowboys, gamblers, lawmen, and gunfighters of Tombstone cannot be over estimated. A "Tombstone" Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Hart's markings on it sold at a Rock Island Auction Company 2010 auction for $32,500.00. Today a firearm with the "S.L. Hart" stamp is almost priceless. Letter included is from Marjorie Elliott, Curator and President of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum that traces ownership of the Ideal Manufacturing Co. nickeled .44-40 bullet mold from the Hart Estate through S. L. Hart's son Kirt, who was a gunsmith in Tucson, Arizona, to a lady who had a large collection of Hart items, from whom the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum received them. Hart logo stamp is located above patent number, opposite side has Ideal MF'G Co. name and New Haven, CT USA partially faded with caliber stamped below, 44-40. Top handle has stamped, "JBSMITH". Reloading bullet mold is in amazingly well preserved condition, rich patina exhibited throughout. Measures 3.5"W x 8.75"L x 1"D, weight is 1lb, 4oz.