This is the regulation Civil War artillery gunner’s or fuse pouch, complete, in good condition, and nicely marked on the outer flap above the stitching for the latch tab, “U.S. / WATERVLIET / ARSENAL.” These are made of russet leather and look somewhat like cartridge boxes at first glance, having an inner flap with side ears, but have tapering bottoms and tall belt loops to hang underneath the belt, and were to carry essential tools for an artillery gun crew. These were worn on a simple russet belt leather with roller buckle by “Number Four” of the gun crew, tasked with inserting the friction primer in the vent at the breech of the cannon once it was loaded, placing the hook at the end of the lanyard into the primer’s loop, and then stepping to the side to play out the slack in the lanyard and await the gunner’s command to fire.

This has smooth leather with good surface, showing a few pressure dents or wrinkling, but no flaking. The outer flap shows a tad darker than the inner flap or body with some natural water or grease stains from use. The seams are tight. The belt loops, side ears and latch tab are firmly in place as is the brass finial on the bottom of the box for the latch tab. The marking is sharp and legible.

This is a very good example of a basic artillery accouterment often seen in period photos of Civil War gun crews around their field pieces in action poses for the photographer. In the period image we show, the soldier at the right wears one of these pulled around to the front for easy access, has his right arm extended, holding (or pretending to hold) the lanyard, and has his weight on his left leg ready to give it a forceful pull on command.  [sr][ph:L]

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