Dating an RCBS LAM

[Bill in Oregon]

Posting this for John B -- "nwcatman" -- his very nicely cleaned up Lubamatic II lubrisizer with V and an A3 stamped on the side. Sure is pretty.

[nwcatman]

my father in law got me into casting in the early 70s and this was his. i think i took possession of it about a week after he showed me how it worked so he wouldn't have to use it anymore, and i've had it ever since. been sitting around neglected for maybe the last 20 years or so. i upgraded around 2000 . anyways was pretty rough looking. my 13 yr old grandson helped me in our spare time. kinda sorta. it has a V and a A 3 stamped into the side. guessing it will be displayed somewhere.

[Shasta]

I have sixteen RCBS Lube-A-Matic bullet sizer presses, the oldest is a Lachmiller brand from about 1970. Why so many? I run four different lubes, and some presses are dedicated to frequently used bullets. Judging by the reservoir cap and actuator handle, yours appears to be a Lube-A-Matic II, a later version still sold today.
All of mine have the same cast body and components and older style plunger and actuater ratchet; the only difference being the style of the handle grip and color variation. Some handles are smooth, some are a bicycle style grip with finger grooves. Colors vary from light green to dark green. The old Lachmiller was blue. I really don't know of an accurate way to come up with a date of manufacture when the Lube-A-Matic differences are so minor.

Shasta

[nwcatman]

thanks!

[marlinman93]

Perfect example of why I tell guys starting out to buy used, not new reloading equipment. Quality brand equipment lasts over many decades and never wears out. I bought my Lyman Lubrisizer used with a bunch of sizing dies probably 40 years ago, and it's still chugging along like new, just dirtier.