VERY RARE – American Revolutionary War Cartridge Box with Belt (ON HOLD,M)

This is a rare piece being offered; it is an original American Revolutionary War leather Cartridge Box and belt. It measures 10 ¾” wide, the front is 5” high, but the leather flap extends another 3” further and is 4” deep. Inside is the wooden block designed to hold 24 cartridges.

During the Revolutionary War most American soldiers carried their ammunition in cartridge boxes worn over the shoulder or around the waist. These leather pouches, often made by saddlers and harness makers, contained drilled wooden blocks to hold individual cartridges, round paper tubes containing gunpowder and lead bullets. The premade cartridges allowed soldiers to load their musket faster and get off more shots than if they had to load loose gunpowder and a musket ball by hand.

The 2 1/2 inch leather belt has a thinner leather belt and buckle to the inside for tightening. The back of the box has two flat leather hoops which the belt went through to carry the box. Because of its age and use, these two strips have separated which does not allow the belt to stay attached.

If desired, there are options to repair the back. They can be resewn or replaced, or they could be tacked to the belt for permanent attachment (included are some period tacks to use if wanted). I really don’t think any of this is needed because the two pieces display just fine by itself.

This example from the Revolutionary War allows a soldier to keep 24 cartridges at the ready. The Militia Act of 1792, which set federal standards for the organization of the Militia, ruled that all soldiers would be required to carry cartridge boxes that “contain not less than twenty-four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock.”

Needless to say, this is a very rare piece and just something you rarely come across. There are examples in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” (see pictures). It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum.  A Certificate of Authenticity will be included. With all the items on the website, a very friendly layaway is available.