This tall hexagonal cartridge box is a rarely seen Spencer accessory. It has a black leather exterior over wooden base that holds ten cartridge tubes each of which were designed to hold seven Spencer rimfire cartridges. This tall, hexagonal cartridge box was designed by Erastus Blakeslee of the 1st Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry who received U.S. patent number 45,469 for this design on December 20, 1864. The U.S. Government placed contracts for over 30,000 boxes that were delivered to the War Department but few were used during the Civil War.

The leather exterior is complete and in overall very good condition, but does exhibit moderate crazing to the finish especially on the back and toward the bottom. Brass “spring” hinge on lid operates well and all stitching remains tight. Latch tab remains unbroken. This box was made by E. Gaylord of Chicopee, Massachusetts and this box is so marked. A large cartouche on front of box reads, “BLAKESLEES CARTRIDGE BOX / US / PATD DEC. 20 1864 / E. GAYLORD / CHICKOPEE / MASS.″ There is an 8-pointed star (or flower) carved into the top of the lid. Leather sling is also in fine condition and features a small buckle at one end and a brass snap on the other.

Inside is a wood block wrapped in tin. This block is drilled to hold ten, tin tubes which could each hold seven Spencer rimfire cartridges. Four of the tubes appear to be modern replacements without the rolled edge as found on the other seven tubes.

The cartridge box measures approximately 12″ x 4″ x 2 ½”.  [jet]

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