December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Very scarce wartime American cartridge box. Military box with wood block bored out for 17 musket cartridges, the holes measure a tad over .75" in diameter. The block was nailed in place along the upper rear edge of a hunting bag shaped body, leaving access to the lower portion of the pouch. 2 later nails were added at the forward sides, perhaps to anchor 2 rounded end pieces rising above the squared edge of the pouch, to keep the bag from sagging down, or to remedy a short split on the top of one side seam. The shoulder strap is bridle leather, 1 - 1/2" wide and about 42" long, sewn into the upper rear seam of the box. An original iron wire pick and brush are attached to the lower front edge of the sling. The block measures about 9" by 3" and 2" front to back. Flap is 10 - 3/4" inches wide and 6" from top edge to bottom, extending the same distance as the bottom of the bag. A latch tab is sewn inside the flap and there is a partial leather thong on the face of the box that likely ended in a knotted button for it. CONDITION: Very good. The flap shows deep crazing and cracking to the finish, but not much finish loss. An impressed border line is faintly visible. One side seam is open for 1 - 1/2" inches. One end of the shoulder sling pulled out of the back seam of the box, was reinserted and secured by a modern staple. The sling is full length and solid. Care should be taken in flexing the flap or folding the strap. This is a rare survivor.
Item Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 5"