The Dingee family of New York City was heavily involved in making and supplying U.S. military accoutrements and insignia for the first half of the nineteenth century. Henry A. Dingee and a half-brother took over the business in the mid-1840s, and Henry continued to have army contracts into the 1850s and the war boosted business. In 1861 alone H.A. Dingee had contracts for more than 10,000 infantry cartridge boxes. He probably had the box plates made by someone else, but was sure to mark them with his firm name.

This one is in good condition, polished, but with no loss of detail. The edges are good and there are just a few minor dings to the face. The fastening loops are in place. The Dingee stamp is a little light in the middle, but legible. These solder-filled brass plates were ornamental, but served the practical purpose of keeping the flap of the cartridge box closed even if the soldier left it unlatched in the heat of action.  [sr]

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