MAKER MARKED U.S. CIVIL WAR PERCUSSION CAP BOX

MAKER MARKED U.S. CIVIL WAR PERCUSSION CAP BOX

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$395.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1304-100

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This is a very good example of a basic piece of soldier’s field gear from the Civil War, produced by several makers in a couple of variations and carried by literally every soldier with a percussion arm. Percussion caps, placed on a small cone vent, produced a spark when struck, which ignited the main propellant charge in barrel of the weapon. Issued in a paper “twist” of twelve in each pack of ten paper cartridges, they were placed in the cap box when packs were opened and the cartridges placed in the upper trays of the magazine tins in the cartridge box for ready use. This is the standard configuration coming in about 1862 with a one-piece outer flap with integral latch tab, a brass finial for it on the bottom, a short inner flap with half-circle “ears” sewn to either side to keep the caps from being jostled out if the soldier forgot to latch it, and two narrow belt loops, sewn and riveted on the reverse for wear on the waist belt.

The box is in very good condition, still showing much of the impressed border line on the outer flap and maker markings on the inner flap. The seams are tight, both belt loops secure, inner and outer flaps in place, with the side-ears on the inner flap, and even the wire vent pick (showing just a little rust; used to clear debris from the cone if necessary) still inside. The wool fleece, used to keep the caps from bouncing out, as usual is gone, but the narrow strip of sheepskin is still in place along the back of the interior of the compartment. The leather shows lots of its original black finish oxidizing slightly toward brown from age, showing just a few creases and rubs from use and only the very bottom of one belt loops showing a small bit of flaking from flexing and actual use. The inner flap shows the maker’s stamp of Hoover, Calhoun and Company, well-known New York suppliers of leather gear to the army.

This is a very good example of a basic piece of Civil War field gear. It is a key accoutrement, a good starting point for a collection, and one with enough variation to make it a collecting category of its own. This one even comes with four lead bullets that were inside, perhaps from postwar use by a veteran in hunting. Please see our photos. [sr] [ph:L]

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