This infantry cartridge box for the .58 caliber rifle musket follows the pattern of March 1864 and carries a New York oval SNY cartridge box plate introduced about 1863 for the NGSNY, but with finds reported on 1864 battle sites according to O’Donnell and Campbell. The box also bears on its inner flap the maker stamp

Baker / & McKenney / N.Y. Founded in January 1864 by Laura Baker, widow of military goods dealer John A. Baker, and former employee James McKenney, the firm obtained a U.S. contract for 10,000 cartridge boxes of this pattern in May 1864 with others going to the state and private purchasers.

The pattern improved on the 1861 pattern by introducing a rivet to reinforce the stitched latch tab, otherwise the configuration was the same, set up for wear on a shoulder belt or waist belt, fitted with inner flap with side ears, rivets securing the belt loops and buckle chapes, implement pocket with flap and tab, and two magazine tins holding 20 rounds each. The box is in good condition, with minor crazing to the finish and some stiffness to the outer flap, but good color and little finish loss. The latch tab is broken across the fastening hole, but the lower portion is inside the box and might be mended. Only one magazine tin is present, with a slight curve to the upper edge but with the divider present in the upper tray. All other buckles, loops, and tabs are in place and secure, as is the inner flap with side ears, and the implement pocket with flap and latch tab.

The box comes with tin Goldmark’s 1867 patent musket caps found inside. We have not counted them, but there are a number. The paper label has some rubs and dirt, but is legible, with one spot on the last digit of the patent date.

These March of 1864 boxes were made in time for some of the climactic campaigns and battles of the war and although theoretically replaced by the July 1864 pattern with an embossed flap remained in use to the end of the war and for some time thereafter.  [sr] [ph:L]

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