EXCELLENT WASHINGTON ARSENAL MARKED CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY GUNNER’S IMPLEMENT/FUSE POUCH

EXCELLENT WASHINGTON ARSENAL MARKED CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY GUNNER’S IMPLEMENT/FUSE POUCH

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$1,295.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-9170

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This is the regulation Civil War artillery gunner’s pouch, complete, in excellent condition, crisply marked on the outer flap above the stitching for the latch tab, “U.S.” over “WASHINGTON” in an arc with “ARSENAL” in a straight line at bottom, and a wonderful U.S. eagle with shield on its chest and upraised wings perched at the center. This has the  belt loops, latch tab, finial, and inner flap with side ears all in place in addition to the sharp, very visible markings and pleasing color.

These are made of russet leather and this one has an appealing, glossy light brown finish to the flap showing just some thin, darker brown age stains and light handling marks. The seams are tight. The body of the box matches in condition, with inner flap showing a crease across near the lower edge from having been stored folded for some, but with good finish and the side ears, to help seal the box, in place. The belt loops are in place also, with good  color and finish, showing just a few wrinkles from having been on belt. The latch tab and finial are complete and in place. The bottom central point of the outer flap shows a few small wrinkles, again, an indication that despite its great condition the box was actually issued and used, but not abused. The only other marks we see are the asterisk-shaped “stake marks” used by the arsenal leather workers to close up small holes made by the tacks holding the leather pieces to a wood form while they were being sewn together. Please see our photos.

These look somewhat like cartridge boxes at first glance, but have a tapering bottom and tall belt loops sewn high on the back of the box to suspend it under the lower edge of the gunner’s belt, which would be similar russet leather and provided with a simple frame, roller buckle. These were worn by “Number Four” of the gun crew, tasked with inserting the friction primer in the vent at the breech of the cannon once it was loaded, placing the hook at the end of the lanyard into the primer’s loop, and then stepping to the side to play out the slack in the lanyard and await the gunner’s command to fire. They are often called simply fuse pouches, though technically carrying primers and other essential items.

This is a very strong example of a basic artillery accouterment often seen in period photos of Civil War gun crews around their field pieces in action poses. In the period image we show, the soldier at the right wears one of these pulled around to the front for easy access, has his right arm extended, holding (or pretending to hold) the lanyard, and has his weight on his left leg ready to give it a forceful yank on command to ignite the propellant charge in the guntube. This is an essential piece in any artillery collection or display and this one would be hard to improve upon.  [sr][ph:L]

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