The introduction of metallic cartridge revolvers in the Army meant rethinking the pistol cartridge box. An 1872 board recommended simply using the infantry cap box to hold twelve pistol cartridges. An 1873 board, whose findings were published in an 1874 Ordnance Memorandum recommended a pattern submitted by Dyer using a sheepskin lining, but the large number of Civil War cap boxes on hand that could be cheaply altered prevented that pattern from going into production and these altered Civil War pouches, along with some variations, remained in use into the 1890s.

This one is in very good condition and shows not only the US in an oval that was added at the time of alteration, but the original Civil War Woodbury inspector’s stamp. The wood block, drilled for six cartridges, is still in place. The inner flap, which bore the original contractor’s stamp was entirely removed by cutting across its back edge, likely by the soldier. These inner flaps usually had the centers cut out and the ends, now tabs, sewn over the sides and front edge of the box to keep the wood block from coming out, but they were in the way of inserting or drawing the cartridges, and boxes show up with them and without them, and with the block or without it, sometimes with the tabs still in place even when the block is missing.

The leather has a nice color and surface. The integral latch tab and the belt loops are in place and secure. The seams are good and the markings clear. This would be very good addition to a display of Indian War period U.S. cavalry accouterments. See Meadows great volume on US military holsters and pistol cartridge boxes for details.  [sr] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!