This ammunition artifact, in excellent plus original condition, is an original and complete pasteboard paper box that once held forty-two rounds of #56 (56-56) Spencer rimfire post war cartridges. Made specifically for the post-war altered Spencer breechloaders and Joslyn carbines and rifles, this paper specimen was produced by the C. D. Leet Company of Springfield, Massachusetts between Nov 1863 and Nov 1865. During that time, the firm contracted with the Army Ordnance Dept for some 14,600 Spencer cartridges making it the major supplier of such rounds through 1865.

The intact box lid and box body is tight and strong. Glued to the lid is the original yellow paper label printed in black ink which reads “FORTY-TWO / SMITH & WESSON’S / PRIMED CARTRIDGES / patented April 17, 1860 / FOR SPENCER CARBINE – CALIBRE 50. / MODLE 1865 / Manufactured by C. D. LEET, Springfield, Mass.” Records indicate that in the late 1850s, Charles D. Leet ran a pharmacy above the Smith & Wesson shop in Springfield and showed S & W a better way to make the rimfire cartridges. Hence the name on the box. Spencer ammo by Leet was packed in tan cardboard boxes, with each box measuring 4 5/8” x 2” x 4¼” deep.  A number of private ammunition manufacturers, such as UMC Co, Jacob Goldmark, D.C. Sage, Winchester, U.S.C. Co, Springfield Armory and others also made these metallic rimfire cartridges for the altered Spencer rifle and carbine. Box is in excellent original condition.

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