CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY GUNNER’S “TUBE POUCH”

CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY GUNNER’S “TUBE POUCH”

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$395.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-9173

These pouches were made of russet leather and fitted with two belt loops on the upper back to hang at the lower edge of a simple russet leather waistbelt with simple roller buckle. They were worn by “Number Four” of the gun crew, whose job was to insert a friction primer in the vent at the breech of the cannon once it was loaded, placing the hook on the end of the lanyard into the primer’s loop, and then step to the side to play out the slack in the lanyard and await the gunner’s command to fire. The box was intended to carry the friction primers, lanyard, thumbstall, priming wire and gunner’s gimlet. Terminology varies- Gibbon called them tube pouches in his 1860 manual. Collectors refer to them mostly as fuse or implement pouches.

This one is in fair condition, solid, complete, and with good seams, but showing a stain on the lower back at right with a short slit or tear on the rear edge. This could be dressed up and concealed, but we have left it as we got it. This comes from the artillery portion of an old, respected collection, much of which came from Bannerman’s Island, or their Bluepoint Long Island operation and, needless to say, storage conditions on the island were a bit less than ideal. In any case, the box is complete and still has the fastening tab, brass finial, both belt loops and the inner flap with side ears still in place. The surface shows some small wear spots and scratches. The belt loops show some stress marks indicating it was actually issued and worn on a waist belt.

This would be a key piece in an artillery collection. There are no maker marks and it could fit in a US or CS display equally well, especially since a lot of Confederate artillery gear likely started out in US hands. We show members of a US battery poised for action. On the right the gunner has pulled this pouch around front for easier access and stands ready to pull the lanyard on command.   [sr] [ph:L]

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