This is a regulation Civil War U.S. cavalry pistol cartridge box used to carry packs of revolver cartridges, held inside by friction from two interior leather panels. These boxes show up in three sizes, not for different calibers of ammunition, but for the changing configuration of the packs themselves. This is one of the larger sized boxes and would be correct for either the standard .36 or .44 caliber pistol ammunition. The box is complete and in very good condition with some crackling to the finish, some abrasion marks at lower left front, and a little verdigris on the latch tab rivet, but never touched with any preservatives or polish, with both loops and the latch tab firmly in place, and with visible maker and inspector stamps. The lower front shows the stamp of J. Davy & Co. Newark, NJ, who had been a harness maker and during the war had contracts for thousands of cartridge boxes, holsters, sets of .58 and .69 caliber infantry accouterments and four contracts in September 1863 totaling 60,000 sets of cavalry gear, from which this likely comes. At right front is the mark, light on the right, of inspector T.J. Shephard in a rectangular cartouche and a small script U.S. following March 1864 orders for its inclusion by inspectors at Springfield Armory.

This is good, regulation cavalry accouterment worn in conjunction with the issue revolver, along with the trooper’s cap pouch, carbine box, and other gear.  [sr] [ph:L]

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