1864 cartridge box use ?

[Kration]

I'm new to the forums and am seeking opinions as to how common was the 1864 cartridge box with the embossed U.S. on the flap... ?

Any info most appreiciated !
Kration

Mark Burr

[David Fox]

Re: 1864 cartridge box use ?

Kration; the Bible is "Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman" by the expert in the field, Paul D. Johnson. There are actually variants of the '64 embossed "US" boxes and he illustrates their usage in both the eastern and western armies. It is known Sherman's men were heavily reequipped at Savannah in December-January, '64-'65 and this is when issue of some of these accoutrements likely occured. There is no evidence of which I am aware what demonstrates an issue prejudice between the older brass-plate boxes and the simplier ones, at least during the closing months of the war. As many of the embossed boxes come down to us in unissued condition, the numbers utilized in the field during the war, however, was substantially less than the numbers produced. Be aware narrower 2"-wide shoulder belts in bridle leather w/o provision for the brass breast eagle were manufactured to compliment these boxes. In addition, a run of M.1864 embossed "US" .69 calibre elongated ball boxes was produced, apparently partly for the Washington garrison troops, some still armed with rifled .69s, who had been marched out of their fortifications to join Meade's army in the 1864 campaign and partly for the latest draft of men for whom an insufficient number of .58 calibre muskets were readily available.

[Kration]

Re: 1864 cartridge box use ?

David,
Thank You for the response, Thats exactly what I was looking for !
I am just about to complete building a set of unissued original field gear and have seen late embossed 1864 cartridge boxes in unissued condition from time to time.. These most likely are all Bannermans surplus.. Wow, To have been able to choose stuff like that in the 1950's..
Thank You

Kration
Mark Burr

[David Fox]

Re: 1864 cartridge box use ?

My unissued '64 embossed pattern box w/ double lid came from Don Troiani in the early '70s...along w/ an unissued Pattern of 1854 U.S. cavalry jacket. Forgot what I paid for the box, but the jacket set me back $125.00, as I recall. At the time I didn't know Troiani from Adam's housecat. Get Paul Johnson's book. I understand he's gestating another on Civil war leather.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: 1864 cartridge box use ?

Hallo!

Also remember that one has less of an "attrition rate" going on where older issuances get used up and the War was over sooner during the time that the 1864 pattern stuff was getting into the pipeline and distributed. That is one of the reason(s) why we see more "later" stuff (patterns, and maker and inspector stamped) represented in the surviving artifact pool both as veteran take-homes as well as in Post War Government sales of surplus.

"I understand he's gestating another on Civil war leather."

I have not talked with Paul in several years...

But the last, I recall, was supposedly working on his next book on waistbelts, or cap boxes, or bayoent scabbards, that was "due" to have come out in 2005 or 2007 (?)

Curt