This is a very fine, non-excavated M1839 cartridge box plate made and marked by “W.H. Smith / Brooklyn”.

Adopted in 1839, these plates were made of stamped, rolled brass with fastening loops on the back secured by a lead solder fill. They were both ornamental and functional, keeping the outer flap of cartridge box closed, even if unlatched. This is the scarce, smaller size, intended for use on the rifleman’s cartridges box and, in theory, on pistol and carbine boxes as well. Smith was a brass finisher by trade and may have had pre-war contracts with New York, but was advertising “brass trimmings for all kinds of military equipments” by June 1861 and seems to have been active through the summer of 1864.

This piece has a bright face with only a few very small dings to the face and edge. The lead fill is complete, with two iron loops, and a very clear maker’s mark.  [jet][ph:L]

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