We dug up in our back yard a 18" x 9 1/2" iron gun mold (Bottom Half). It weighs aprox 80lbs.
We did some research on diff types of 18th century guns and by the markings on the mold we come up with the precise markings for a Army 1860 Colt .44
It has 3 tap drill holes which appears to be for the top half of the mold. We are not sure if this is a true artifact and if they actually did make guns out of molds like this, because of the moving parts.
I have searched the internet and cannot find any information on gun mold artifacts. I have found that they did make guns before the 18th century to be cast with and without a gun core and the bore was drilled out by hand after the gun was cast, this was known as "solid-bore" casting.
Which would mean they molded the hole gun as one piece.

Any information anyone would have on this piece would be greatly appreciated.