Ideal handbook #27 (first one published after purchase by Lyman in 1925) shows #1, #2 & #3 Star crimpers. #1 simply has a hand crank attached directly to the spindle. #2 states it is for power use & has a two step pulley (6" & 3") attached directly to the spindle & it also has a hand knob attached to the outer rim of the 6" pulley. #3 is a head for use in a power lathe. Heads are interchangable & use interchangable pins for the crimping, available for either a square or rounded crimp. It also utilized a spring loaded follower to press against the top wad.
Ideal handbook #37 (1950) simply shows the "Star Crimper" which is stated to replace #'s 1, 2 & 5. This one has the riser with small pulley on spindle with large pulley atop the riser with hand knob. Head is stated to be the "New" solid type with solid follower. Heads are interchangable & it was also stated they would fit "Any" Star Crimper. A late fifties Handbook, which has lost its cover so actual number unknown at this date shows the same identical set up as the 1950 one.
The #27 handbook also shows a "Diamond" crimper which appears to have the same head as the star, but lacks the straight line pushing of the shell into the crimp head. I have a 10ga crimper which though unmarked looks identical to this Diamond crimper, utlizing the pins & seperate follower.
It was also stated in this handbook that the square crimp was generally preferable unless they gave feeding problems if using a "Repeater".
The Orange one pictured here may just have the riser removed & large pulley attached directly to spindle, or it may have been offered like this at some point. I am not up on all the iterations of the Star Crimper.
