History

Making lead shot since 1879

Lead shot has been dropped from shot towers since at least as far back as 1782. This method takes lead block or ingot to the top of the tower for melting. Lead drops through a sieve determining the size of the finished pellet. Due to the inherent surface tension and low melting temperatures a near perfect sphere is formed rather quickly. This historic process has remained essentially unchanged for more than two centuries. Notice the tower standing high above the facility in the left of this glass negative from over 100 years ago.

The plant over 100 years ago

The plant in the 1970s

Though the process of dropping shot remains similar, the company has taken numerous steps over the years to improve final quality. In 1964 the entire tower was retooled.

The shot is sorted to ensure roundness. The material is then screened to remove any pellets not meeting size specification. These measures are why Lawrence Brand has remained the industry leader in the reloading industry.

Click here to view a vintage brochure

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