Empty package for friction primers. Wood block with 6 holes drilled to hold the primers (2 per hole, no primers remain). The block is wrapped in paper and features a stenciled label on the front. “12 FRICTION PRIMERS RICHMOND ARSENAL 186_”. The last digit of the date was left unprinted and was meant to be filled in by hand when inspected at the arsenal. Written in period pen and ink on the back is: “Picked up on Saturday May 2 in woods where the Secesh had Batty in position. They had to leave one Caisson behind the horse being shot.” Below this in pencil is written: “Chancellorsville 1863”. Package measures 4.25” x 2.25” x 0.75”.

Box was torn open to get at the primers and there is some additional wrapping paper loss on both ends. There is some minor paper separation from the wood on the lower right corner of the front and a repaired tear running through the word “ARSENAL”. Overall a very fine specimen of an extremely rare package. Stenciling and ink inscription are very readable and presentable. [jet]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!