This is the full U.S. infantry 1864 cartridge box rig, complete and all original. It consists of the oval-US embossed infantry .58 caliber cartridge box with double flaps and both magazine tins in place, mounted on the correct 1864 pattern shoulder sling, and with all buckles, loops and latch tabs in place on the box and the sling securely attached. The outer flap of the box shows some slight wrinkling at the lower corners from the soldier raising it to access the cartridges, indicating the box was actually issued and saw service, but the color and surface are excellent, showing just some light scuffs and dust. The leather is solid. Both box and sling have their original black finish, oxidizing slightly toward brown, and neither has been polished or treated.

The sling is supple and the surface shows graining and crazing to the finish, but only one or two very small flakes and only two small nicks to the leading edge of the strap as it would be worn, about 4 inches above the top of the box. The sling fits the July 1864 guidelines, which reduced the width to 2-inches, this one showing slight shrinkage to 1 7/8 inches, and omitted the round, eagle shoulder belt plate as a cost-saving measure. The strap is secured by the two horizontal retaining straps on the upper reverse of the box and firmly buckled to its bottom.

The same effort to reduce material and labor cost led to the July 1864 specifications of the box, which used the embossed US instead of a separate cartridge box plate. The box has a two-line maker’s stamp in an oval on the lower edge of the inner flap. The lower line is pretty clearly “Philada.” The upper line is a little soft, but seems to be “Haedrich,” who was from Philadelphia and contracted for 20,000 sets under the July 4, 1864 guidelines. Both side ears are in place on the inner flap. The implement pouch is present and good, with its own flap and latch tab. Both magazine tins are in place and have the dividers present in the upper trays.

This is a nice, untouched set typical of those carried by U.S. infantry in some of the climatic battles of the war.  [sr] [ph:L]

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