HELP - Pattern 1861 Cartridge Box Questions

[The Wizard]

Just received my Pattern 1861 .58 caliber Cartridge Box and Cartridge Box Belt from E. J. Thomas Mercantile. Now I have never seen an original but I do not have the command of the English language to praise the quality of the items sent to me by E. J. Thomas Mercantile! But now I have some questions. Is the cartridge box worn on the left or fight side? How does the Cartridge Box Belt attach to the Cartridge Box? The buckles on the bottom of the box seem to be upside down or backwards or upside down and backwards. If someone could post a picture of how the belt is attached to the box it would be a great help (I am a visual learner). Lastly, the loose paper cartridges that go in the top poritions of the tins are they loaded bullet pointed down (I suspect this is correct) or bullets pointed up?

Again, the products sent me by E. J. Thomas Mercantile ARE SUPERIOR!

[David Fox]

Re: HELP - Pattern 1861 Cartridge Box Questions

Run the ends of the shoulder belt through the loops at the top back of the box. The ends cross behind the box. The narrow belt tips w/ the holes are passed over the buckles on the bottom of the box, from back of box to the front of the box. The tips are then doubled back upon themselves and the tougue of each buckle engages a leather belt tip's hole, adjusted to the proper length for your body. Once affixed correctly, the belt tips are doubled under the belt ends and pointed toward the back of the box. The box is worn over the right hip. The twenty loose cartridges in the open tops of the tins are arranged bullet-down.

[fahnenschmied]

Re: HELP - Pattern 1861 Cartridge Box Questions

Look here - plenty of pictures - hope this helps you out...

http://www.jarnaginco.com/cartridge%20box%20sling.htm