Powder Magazine?

[Stephen Shepherd]

Having read recently of corregated iron wagon boxes used by The Army of Utah in 1857 and having remembered an object in a local Relic Hall, I put two and two together and got 22.

This 'Powder Magazine' has precious little documentation, it is about 4 feet wide and at least 16 feet long. I do not know if the top was added later, but the lettering is packing box script.

It could be from Camp Floyd, which the Army abandon at the beginning of hostilities.

Any Ideas?

Stephen Shepherd
Cabinet Box Mess

[Vicksburg Dave]

Re: Powder Magazine?

Check it for copper/bronze hardware; that will be a big giveaway as to its purpose. I'm not sure how close I would want to be to a magazine made with iron hardware.

[1stMaine]

Re: Powder Magazine?

Comrade,

It is possible that what you have in that image is a French Ammunition Chest from the Napoleonic wars, or at least a derivitive of it. This was what the French at that time used as a type of caisson.

However, I suspect. rather, that it is a coverted battery wagon. See here:

http://www.usregulars.com/gibbons/gibbons_chapter_vi.htm

And scroll down a short ways to plate 122. It shows the battery wagon and the forge.

Respects,