May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
An extremely rare, early American cartridge case (sometimes called a “cartridge box”) for a flannel or paper cartridge or “bag” of gunpowder for a cannon, either a six- or nine-pounder (based on the 3 - 1/4" interior diameter of the case). The cylindrical form of the case interior mirrored the form of the powder cartridge it housed, preserving its shape for loading and more importantly, protecting the volatile composition from sparks or perforation during the journey of the “powder monkey” from the ship’s magazine to the gundeck. Wooden cartridge cases of near-identical form were excavated from the wreck of HMS Invincible (1758), as well as depicted in period diagrams and plans, but this unexcavated example is the only early American one currently identified. It survives with its wooden lid still affixed by the original carrying handle or lanyard, made of untarred, marline line (a double-strand, hempen cord). The case was turned and carved from complete, segmented section of a tree trunk or limb, leaving a lip with two jutting tabs or lugs opposite each other on the tapering, cylindrical body. Each lug has a hole drilled through it and two similar holes were drilled through the fitted wooden lid and by this means, the marline lanyard was knotted under one lug and carried up the cylinder through the corresponding lid hole, then down again through opposite lid hole and lug, leaving enough loose line to form the handle and to allow the lid to be opened or close with ease, with no ability to be lost. The case with lid is 16 - 1/2" tall, with a 4" exterior base diameter. Cartridge cases were usually made of poplar, which is what appears to be the wood used for this case. Poplar is an absorbent wood and thus, could help keep moisture from the cartridge and was also easy to work and lightweight. It still retains most of its red oxide paint, typically used on articles related to ordnance and munitions aboard ships of war. On the side of the body cylinder is crudely carved a flag on staff, on which is inscribed “Polly.” Found on the North Shore of Boston Bay and previously in the collection of the late Jack Weil of Marblehead (who collected only artifacts of local historical interest), it almost certainly came from a privateer or armed ship operating out of Salem, Marblehead or other port towns in Essex County in the Revolutionary through War of 1812 era. A handful of vessels bearing this name have been identified, but based on both known armament and respective histories, most have been eliminated. The most likely prospect is the privateer Polly of Salem, a 91 ton sloop that during the War of 1812, captured 19 prizes during 5 cruises. Her crew varied between 50-65 men and her armament between 4-9 guns, primarily 4-, 6- and 9-pounders. CONDITION: Overall very good and complete, with some slight losses to paint, the expected dings and bruises accumulated over more than 200 years, and some fraying to the marline line at its distal ends.