SCARCE BRITISH EXPORT ENFIELD RIFLE MUSKET CARTRIDGE BOX

SCARCE BRITISH EXPORT ENFIELD RIFLE MUSKET CARTRIDGE BOX

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$1,250.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-1069

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This is a strong example of the commercial or export pattern British cartridge box that was brought into the Confederacy in large numbers by blockade runners, with a few falling into US hands, and seeing very limited issue, with collectors seeing it as a secondary Confederate piece. The box is constructed of heavy black leather, with the flap correctly made in the British fashion, rough-side-out and blackened, with the buff leather latch tab blind-stitched to the outer flap, the tab likely white originally and then blackened to match American accoutrements. The shoulder sling loops on the back and the buckles on the bottom to fasten it are in place, as is the brass stud for the latch tab. The inner flap is very good as well, and the deep side ears, very effectively sealing the box, are both in place, secure and tight. The inner cartridge tin with five compartments is there and its interior dividers are in place.

There are only the slight bits of rubbing to the finish on some edges, natural points of wear. The latch tab shows a V-shaped tear above the fastening hole that has been carefully and discreetly  repaired on the reverse by gluing on a piece of cloth tape and coloring it to match. There were no pieces missing; the tear was narrow; and, the mend seems secure. The smooth leather of the underside of the flap and body of the box show scattered waxy white spots - “fatty acid spew” natural to antique leather when some of the oil in the leather returns to the surface, sometimes being reabsorbed when the temperature rises or easily cleaned with a soft cloth. We have left it as we got it.

These boxes are discussed in Suppliers to the Confederacy and in The English Connection and follow a pattern adopted in 1859 that was meant to serve as a magazine for the British infantryman to carry 50 cartridges in unopened packs of ten each, secured in separate slots in the tin liner of the box, and worn on a shoulder belt, with loose rounds for immediate use carried separately in an “expense pouch” (“ball bag”) worn on the waist belt. As the Enfield cartridges were .577, the tin is equally useful for the nominal .58 caliber cartridges commonly used by both North and South and superior in holding 50 rounds rather than the 40 of the American boxes, especially when extra cartridge packs were usually issued when going into action.

As configured for the British Army “rank and file” these boxes had an integral cap box sewn to the face of the body of the box and loops for a gun tool on the top of an inner flap and also bore contract and military markings. Commercial versions for British volunteer companies or export could differ. In this case, the maker eliminated the cap box and the tool loops, likely as cost-cutting measures, though some collectors term boxes without the cap box and tool loops the Pattern 1859/60 or Pattern 1860. These boxes are discussed both in Suppliers to the Confederacy and in The English Connection, which notes large numbers were brought into the south through the blockade, or attempted to get through the blockade, most of which were unmarked commercial patterns like this one.

This is an excellent example that would add to an accoutrement, or specifically cartridge box collection and display especially well alongside Confederate gear and weapons.  [sr][ph:L]

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