Federal
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We make a representative line of Federal Government and Confederate cartridge boxes and cap pouches for the Period 1833 through 1865. These boxes are all patterned from original specimens in our collection, boxes on loan from other private collections and collections in several museums.
Our cartridge boxes and cap pouches are handmade here in our workshops. These boxes are made of oak tanned leather. All hand stitching is done in linen thread. Correct finials are turned for each box. We make the proper tins or block inserts for each box.
Please note the hand stitching done in linen thread and the careful finishing job done on these goods. This fine hand craftsmanship is done by American workers here in our workshops.
We are the manufacturer and may not have all items in stock.
Other information links of interest.
Leather Preservation Please follow this link for more information on the care and feed of leather.
To see how to put on a Cartridge box sling please follow this link.
To see how to put on a box plate please follow this link
All "smoothout" leather (bridle) items (black and russet) are finished with period stains or dyes applied using period techniques. This has all come out of my extensive research on the 19th century tanning industry. The leather also has built in mold and mildew resistance in these period finishes. To see pictures of the dyeing process in action please follow the link below.
To see more pictures how they dyed leather during the 19th century.
We use 1860's period techniques to dye leather. An entire side is dyed at once and allowed three days to fully set up. The drying process makes the finish water resistant as called for by the Ordnance Dept.
Following period methods has made it difficult to stock leather items so there may be a delay in getting your leather goods.
This way of finishing can cause the dyed surface to turn white in cold weather. This is a common problem in period leather as well. This white can be cleared with an application of white vinegar.
This is all done in order to give you, the consumer the closest copy of the original items as possible.
Improved 1808 cartridge box with inner flap and ears. To
be used with flintlock muskets. Front flap has highly ornate embossing. US and
Eagle embossed in oval wreath. We have an original of this box in our
collection. We are now producing this box here in our workshops. This is not an
import. For use with a #261 white buff sling only.
(Order Sling Separately)
At the direction of Secretary of War Henry Dearborn the Purveyor of Public Supplies Tench Cox began working on new accoutrements late in 1807. It would appear that with the anticipated large increase in the the Regular Army and desire to more uniformly equip the state militias the intent was to create "national patterns" for accouterments. The description of the box is as follows: Cartridge Box -- the wood in point to contain 26 cartridges, with a tin case under the wood, in 3 apartments, those at the ends of equal size to contain 12 cartridges, the middle one flints, on the outside of the box under the flap a place for oil rags, ect., a black leather belt of 2 1/2 inches, secured by strong buckles in the bottom.
A later description of the new box dated 31 May 1808 is as follows: I am not purchasing cartouche boxes, but proposals may be sent is --- our new boxes are with blocks bored for 26 cartridges of ball nineteen to the pound of stout leather, having under the Block a tin with three compartments for 6 cartridges to be in each end compartments end for flints and oil rags in the middle one. To this a little leather pocket in the front of the cartridge box affords admittance. Copy from Military Collector and Historian, Journal of the Company of Military Historians, Vol. 37 #2. Written by Frederick Gaede, Page 98.
These early boxes did not have inner flaps or ears. Our reproduction is a black box with a wooden block bored for 26 rounds and a tin with three compartments. There is a pocket "door" in the box to allow access to the center compartment of the tin through the body of the box.
The main difference between this box and the earlier one is the addition of a inner flap and a set of ears. This came about in the 1820's. This type of 1808 box was in use until the pattern 1828 box was adopted. Although there are records from the Arsenals in the late 1830's of having on hand 1808 boxes with ears and inner flap but not being embossed.
(Order Sling Separately)
If you request a special maker mark and what we have in stock or the boxes we are currently working on have already been marked you will have to wait until the next run of that particular box is started.
Cartridge Box Tins are Provided
* Double Cartridge Box Tins have a divider in the top of each tin which hold 10 loose cartridges and a space in the lower half for a complete package of ten cartridges.
**Single Cartridge Box Tin has three compartments in the top and two in the bottom
To Purchase Tins Separately: These will fit original cartridge boxes or cartridge boxes made by our company. They may not fit another reproduction box.
Please specify which type of tins you are wanting when placing the order.
Please note that we only stock the .69 round ball and the 1839/1841 rifle tins and the .58 elongated singles are a special order and these may take up to 8 weeks to get made for you.
The pattern 1841 cartridge box is a rifle or carbine box. First produced in 1839 without the implement pocket. In 1841 the implement pocket was added because of changes made in the Hall Carbine. (Ours is provided with the implement pocket) This box is designed for belt carriage only. The #297 small US Box Plate is used with this box. Used by dragoon and rifle regiments. Includes a **single tin.
(Order Belt Separately)
This box is completely Hand Sewn
This box was produced as a replacement for the aging 1828 musket box (the 1808 with an embossed Eagle on the flap). This box is designed for sling carriage. Regulations state that it should carry 40 rounds of round ball or buck and ball ammunition. This box is provided with an implement pocket. The #299 US box plate is used for this box. *Double tins are included.
(Order Sling Separately)
This box is completely Hand Sewn
In 1857 the army made two major changes in
the cartridge boxes:
1. The introduction of two new cartridge boxes: One for the new 58
caliber musket and a second for the rifled 1842 muskets .69 caliber minie
(elongated ball).
2. All cartridge boxes were to be made for belt or sling
carriage.
(Back straps for both belt and sling) This box comes with an implement
pocket.
*Double tins are included. It uses the #BXP299 Large US Box Plate.
(Order Belt or Sling Separately)
#20457 1857 Cartridge Box .58 Caliber
$178.00
(Used for 1855 Rifled Musket) This box is completely Hand Sewn
#20557 1857 Cartridge Box .69 Caliber minie
$178.00
(elongated ball) (Used for 1842 Rifled Musket) This box is completely Hand
Sewn
1861 Pattern Cartridge Box
Be sure to Specify Maker Marks if you have a preference.
These boxes are made up sometimes with no makers marks to make the box before July 17, 1862, the Senate passed a resolution requiring "Maker Marks" on all items contractors produced.
This version was produced from January 1, 1862when the first contract for the
new pattern was let until March 26, 1864, when the new pattern super seceded it. Many different makers
for both state and federal contracts produced this box after the war broke out. Pattern of 1861cartridge box is as
the 1857 pattern box with the addition of rivets in the back straps on both the .58 cal. and the .69 cal. versions. The
back straps are 1 1/8 inch wide with rivets and stitching. The bottom buckles
are sewn on with two rows of stitching. Inspector marks were not present on the
1861 pattern. This box comes with an implement pocket. Includes * double tins.
The #299 Large US Box Plate is used with this box.
This box is completely Hand Sewn (Order Belt or Sling Separately)
#205E 1861 Pattern Cartridge Box (a.k.a. 1855 .69 cal.
EarlyWar)
$156.00
#204E 1861 Pattern Cartridge Box ( A.K.A. 1855 .58 cal. Early War) $156.00
#204CS 1861 Pattern Cartridge box made by C. S . Storms in the early part of the Civil War being marked by the oval Storms Maker N.Y. mark. $165.50
#204SP C. S. Storms Contract Cartridge Box (As #204E with Storms Maker Marks) $156.00
This box pictured above is part of the spare parts contract of late 1863. These boxes were made up to complete the missing cartridge boxes of the reconditioned set of equipment turn in from troops in the field. The Reconditioned set were then issued to second line troops.
#WMFG204E Western Manufactured
Unmarked 1861 Pattern Box (.58 cal)
$166.00
Made same as 1861 pattern but has no maker. On July 17, 1862, the Senate passed
a resolution requiring "Maker Marks" on all items contractors
produced. This box, like the Sickles contracts uses the narrower back straps
normally found on the 1864 patterns. The pocket body is make of waxed leather.
After viewing an original box made by E.A. Corbet, the similarities in
construction between the two boxes was strikingly similar. Corbet is not
listed as having a contract until November 1, 1862, this date is after the
Senate passed the resolution for marker to mark the goods. Could this be a
earlier contract that has so far failed to be recorded in American Military
Goods Dealers and Makers, or just made by another maker. No matter I
believe that this box was made in or around St Louis.
#204Moores Moores contract Pattern of 1861 Cartridge box (.58 cal) $156.00
This box has many of the western manufacturing difference. The closer tab is a waxed leather and it uses a non standard set of buckles. The most notable feature of the Moores box is the cuts for the horizontal straps are almost vertical instead of angled as most other makers.
The pattern of 1839 round ball musket box was made after the pattern of 1861 changes which shows sewn and riveted backstraps. This means this box can be carried both on a belt or a sling. It was designed to carry 40 rounds of round ball or buck and ball ammunition. This box comes with an implement pocket. The '61 box is slightly taller than the earlier '39 version. The #BXP299 US box plate is used for this box. *Double tins are included.
(Order Sling Separately)
This box is completely Hand Sewn
(Used by Berdan Sharpshooters)
Berdan's Sharpshooters of 1862 issued this Infantry style cartridge box.
Designed for belt carriage. This box uses double tins designed for a wooden
block to fit into the top and bottom. The four wooden blocks were drilled
with 10 holes each.
The blocks were to hold the fragile sharps cartridges. We supply the tins
but we are unable to produce the wooden blocks. The #297 small
"US" box plate appears to have been used with this box. Wooden
blocks are NOT included.
(Order Belt Separately)
This box is completely Hand Sewn
To see picture of the original wooden blocks click here
#204M March 1864 Pattern Cartridge Box (a.k.a. 1855 .58 cal MidWar) $156.00
In 1864 the Ordnance Department ordered improvements to the pattern of 1861
cartridge box. The changes made in these boxes were made due to the strains of
heavy campaigning over the first three years of the Civil War. The changes
included narrowing of the back straps to 7/8" to be riveted and sewn. Rivets
were to be added to the bottom buckles and the stitch changed from a straight
stitch to a new crescent stitch. A rivet was added to the closure tap on the
front flap. This version was produced until the pattern of July 4, 1864.
Inspector marks were not present. This box comes with an implement pocket.
Includes *double tins. The #299 Large US Box Plate is used.
(Order Belt or Sling Separately)
#204L July 1864 Pattern Cartridge Box (a.k.a. 1855 .58cal Late War) $185.00
This item is a special order item. These are not stocked.
Pattern of July 4, 1864 is to be made exactly the same as the March 1864 version
with the box plate dropped and the addition of the "US" embossing on
the outer front flap. (This was done to save expense of box plates.) Also note
the round Eagle breast plate was no longer produced. This version was produced
from July 4, 1864 to the end of the war. This is the only pattern box that had
inspector marks. This box comes with an implement pocket. Includes *double
tins.
(Order Belt or Sling Separately) (As #204M with a "US" embossed front
flap)
The pistol box is copied from an original in our collection. May be had with Gaylord maker marks upon request. This
box does not use a tin.
(Order Belt Separately)
This box has a wooden block with 20 bored holes for any of the .54 caliber carbines. This box conforms to the 1857 regulations to be carried by belt or sling, but normal carriage for the box is on the belt. There is an implement pocket. The wooden block is included.
(Order Belt Separately)
#207SM The 1860 Carbine Cartridge Box $129.50
This box was made specially for the Smith Carbine. The cartridge took a hole bored in the block a .66 dia. This block will still hold 20 rounds but the box is longer and shorter than a standard 1860 carbine. The wooden block is included.
(Order Belt Separately)
This box has a single tin with no
dividers, it was designed to hold 20 rounds of sharps cartridges or carbine
of comparable caliber. The sharps box was to be replaced by the 1860 carbine
box but is was contracted as late January 1865. There is no inner flap but
it does have an implement pocket. Designed for belt carriage. The tin is
included.
(Order Belt Separately)
Some are selling what they call "real" buff that is a yellowish color that is very soft and spongy, but according to the Ordnance dept. of the time the leather should be of a firm consistency, and should not be Spongy. Our buff leather is specially tanned for us and very closely matches what the original buff leather was like.
Buff - is not a vegetable tanned leather. It has a loose fiber structure with grain side removed by the tanning process. This type of leather is ruff on both sides of the leather. For more information on buff check out the leather definitions.
Sept 1862 the change was made for all belts and cartridge box belts to be made of bridle leather.
Crown soap- 4oz of soap in a tin container $6.95
We are now offering this period soap for cleaning leather. This is based off a period recipe for soap liked by harness makers. This is not like modern saddle soaps but instead is mostly made from cod oil. This type of soap will clean the leather but not be harsh enough to damage the leather. Leather items should be cleaned with soap several times a year in order to prevent the build up of dirt and other things that will damage the grain surface.
#PW124 Preservation Wax $12.95
This is specially designed product to give you maximum life out of your leather items. This is the clear wax, for use on russet items. This wax contains a natural mold and mildew inhibiter, along with protection from insect damage.
#BPW125 Black Preservation Wax $15.95
This is specially designed product to give you maximum life out of your leather items. Lamp black has been added to help maintain the black color of your leather items. This wax contains a natural mold and mildew inhibiter, along with protection from insect damage.
Leather Preservation Please follow this link for more information on the care and feed of leather.
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