Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

[Michigander]

I know this is a very simple question for you old timers, but as a newbie I haven't got a clue. What is the most authentic manner of attaching the cartridge box plate to the flap on the cardridge box? Also for you USSS out there which size cartridge box plate was used with the Sharps Cartridge
Box? And do any of you USSS know where a guy can get the wood blocks for a Sharps Cartridge Box? Thanks for any assistance you can give the rookie.
R. Jones
Flagstaff, AZ

Richard, please use your full name when posting - Mike Chapman

[Missouri Mule]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

A wedged shape piece of leather worked for me. I can't recall just where I saw it but I think it was the Union EOG (Echos of Glory).

And as for being a "rookie", I think we've all been there. Still there myself.

Matthew Easley
Barleycorn Boys

[JimKindred]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

Johnson's book has some good photos of the attachment.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

Hallo Kamerad!

Also for you USSS out there which size cartridge box plate was used with the Sharps Cartridge Box? And do any of you USSS know where a guy can get the wood blocks for a Sharps Cartridge Box? Thanks for any assistance you can give the rookie.

It used the small M1839 plate.
I know of no one offering the Sharps box tins with the wooden inserts. (I had a set of tins made, from the specimen in Johnson's book, and had a former friend, (a graphic artist) set the hole pattern, cut out the blocks [a little bit higher than needed to alllow for bit damage to the hole tops which was then cut down to size], pasted on the paper hole template, and drilled the holes with a drill press.)

Heinrich Schmidt
Company "A," 1st U.S.S.S. (LH)

[Michigander]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

Gentlemen;

thank you all for all of your assistance. I was vaguely aware that a piece of leather was used to secure the loops on the reverse side of the plate, but was not positive, and I wanted to be correct. Also many thanks for the info on the correct size plate to use. I purchased a Sharps Cartridge Box @ Jardigan's and it came with tins, but not the blocks. Thanks again to all for your assistance.
Richard Jones
Flagstaff, AZ :D

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

Hallo Herr Jones!

Unless it has changed, you may find your tins are set up for standard rifle cartridges, with the interior dividers in the top portion.
I had a "progressive mainstream" pard who did not want to have "Sharps tins" made, so he unsoldered the dividers (the wooden blocks hid the remaining solder smears). But, he had problems as he used the dimensions of an original Berdan Sharps box to base his block size and hole spacing and arrangement off of- which did not quite work for the repro "rifle cartridge" tins.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[coffee boiler]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

Richard, here is a pic of two small leather wedges being used to secure the brass plate. I have also seen one long piece used as well. Hope this helps.

http://www.cwreenactors.com/~sykes/Equipment/cartridge_box_pics.htm

[Michigander]

Re: Cartridge Box Plate Attachment

:D Gentlemen;

once again many thanks for the assistance. The pics are great, that is exactly what I needed. Also the idea on the tins & blocks is most helpful, I will have to wait till my Sharps arrives (on order) before I will know about the size of the cartridges I will be using (it's a Shilo Sharps in 54 cal.). Then I will have to find someone with a drill press. Thank you all once again. For a newbie who does not have all of the research materials at hand you guys are a GREAT help.
Richard Jones
Flagstaff, AZ