A black leather carbine cartridge box of Civil War-era pattern, of the flap-style construction typical of cavalry and mounted infantry accoutrements. The box retains its full flap closure secured by a leather tab and brass finial stud, with an additional brass-buckled leather strap closure on the reverse. The rear of the box has two belt loops for mounting to a waist belt, along with a leather hanger tab and iron/brass fittings. The flap is impressed with the maker/retailer mark "J.I. PITTMAN, N.Y."

John I. Pittman was a documented New York City military goods contractor during the Civil War. Research sources indicate he received orders for thousands of infantry accoutrement sets in 1861–1862, and by 1864 was engaged in leatherwork on subcontract producing cartridge boxes, belts, and related equipments — a history that lines up well with a marked carbine cartridge box such as this one.

The interior retains its original wooden cartridge block, drilled with two rows of ten cylindrical loops (twenty total) sized to hold paper or metallic carbine cartridges — consistent with issue for a carbine such as the Sharps or Spencer pattern. The underside of the flap shows a leather keeper tab and russet-toned lining.

The leather shows expected age, with heavy surface crazing and cracking throughout the flap and body, moderate wear to the finish, and a small stitched repair/hole visible near the center of the flap. The wood cartridge block remains intact and solidly seated within the body. Hardware (brass stud, buckle, and iron fittings) is present and functional, with light oxidation to the iron elements. Stitching is sound throughout.    [ss][ph:L]

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