This regulation 1861 pattern cartridge box for the .58 caliber rifle musket has a beautiful maker’s stamp on the inner flap: “J. BOYD & SONS / BOSTON” at the top and bottom of large oval with stars separating the upper and lower lines, and an inner three-line marking: “MANUFACTURERS / OF ARMY / ACCOUTREMENTS.” Few makers had anything remotely as impressive. The Boyd firm was in business from 1818 to at least 1885 as saddlers. Military accoutrements were a natural extension. The firm gained its first army contract as early as 1845 and dealt with the U.S. government as well as various states.

The box is the regulation 1861 pattern infantry cartridge box for .58 caliber rifle muskets, utilizing loops for both shoulder sling and waist belt, with the latter secured by rivets, buckles on the bottom of the box for the shoulder belt, and with a latch tab on the outer flap held by a line of stitching only (no rivet.) The box is clean, tight, and in very good condition. The inner flap with side ears is in place, as is the implement pocket with flap and tab, and both magazine tins. The main latch tab is full length and secure, but does show some finish loss from use, but the finish of the rest of the box has nice color and surface, no flaking, and just occasional spots of abrasion along an edge or at a corner and few stains on the inside of the flap. The usual asterisk stake marks are visible on the body of the box, used by the leather workers to close up holes made by tacks holding the leather pieces to wood forms as they were sewn together.

Both magazine tins are in place inside, intended to hold two unopened packs of cartridges in the bottom and another twenty rounds from opened packs in the upper trays. The box also has an original 1839 pattern cartridge box plate affixed to the outer flap and secured on the inside by short wood pegs, replacements for the original leather thongs or wedges that have often deteriorated. There is a small collection number “399” on a white label that we have left in place though the collector thoughtfully put it a rivet head so that it might be removed without damaging the finish of the leather.

This is a very nice infantry cartridge box with a great mark by a well-known maker, and typical of those used by Union troops throughout the war. For those interested in cartridge boxes, we strongly recommend Paul Johnson’s wonderful book on those issued to Union infantry.  [sr] [ph:m/l]

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