May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
An early American cartridge box configured for as a "belly box" for waistbelt carriage. It is well- and substantially made, consisting of a broad, slightly-curved block of pine, approximately 9 x 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, tightly encased in a fitted, dark russet leather body of thin calf. It is covered by a substantially thicker flap of blackened leather, with edge and cross-tooling to the grain-sided face, which is sewn and nailed to the rear of the box. There are two vertical attachments straps or loops attached to the rear of the box, each 3 1/2 x 1/2 in. , sewn at top and tacked at bottom of the box, each set-in approximately 2 inches from the sides. There is a keeper strap whipstitched to the inside of the flap, but its corresponding leather button is now missing from the bottom center of the box. This is a style of militia cartridge box that dates from the last quarter of the 18th century. CONDITION: overall very good, the leather relatively supple, with expected craquelure and scuffing; there is approximately 1 1/2 inches of separation of the flap from the box left side. JLK