This extremely nice Civil War carbine cartridge box has great color and finish. All belt loops, buckles and tabs are in place, as is interior wood block bored out for twenty carbine cartridges. (Spencer rounds fit perfectly.) The cover shows some minute crazing from flexing and the reverse some handling marks, but no significant flaking or finish loss. The finish is deep black and the belt loops, tabs and inner flap show a deep luster.

The inner flap is deeply and crisply stamped, “Dingee & Lorigan / Makers / New York.” Henry A. Dingee was the son of Robert Dingee, a well known early maker of U.S. army accoutrements. Henry and his brother, Robert Jr., had carried on the business until Robert’s death in 1851, and Henry continued on his own thereafter. He had several army and marine corps contracts in the Civil War and also partnered with George T. Lorigan on contracts from 1863 to 1865 that included infantry accoutrements in 1863-64 and contracts for 18,550 carbine boxes and 20,000 carbine slings, among other things, starting in May 1864.

The box is a nice example of the universal style of carbine box that became standard, with a removable wood block that could be changed to fit different cartridges. The box has the mid-war style of attaching the latch tab more securely with a rivet and semi-circle of stitching, but still conforms to older specifications in having a horizontal belt loop and bottom buckles for use on a shoulder sling that was rarely employed, the vertical belt loops serving to mount it on a saber belt or carbine sling. The implement pouch attached to the front of the box is in place, along with its flap and locking tab, again with very nice finish.

Carbine boxes this nice are tough to find. This one would improve any cavalry display and look great in collection of high condition carbines as well. [sr]

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