This is the Civil War regulation U.S. infantry cartridge box for the .58 caliber rifle musket. Initially developed for the 1855 series of .58 caliber arms, this is the 1861 configuration used throughout the war alongside some subsequent patterns. The inner flap is marked E. GAYLORD / CHICOPEE / MASS., a major supplier of accouterments during the war who got his start with the Ames Manufacturing Company in 1841 and bought their leather goods department in 1856.

The 1861 pattern was determined upon in November 1861, specified in the Ordnance Manual of 1861, and introduced a number of changes. (See Paul Johnson’s great book on Civil War cartridge boxes.) The most obvious improvement was the use of rivets as well as stitching to secure the waistbelt loops. Other changes, like the addition of rivet to the latch tab were introduced later. Gaylord was producing this pattern as early as January 1862, as is made clear in a January 1, 1862, contract to supply 1,000 a week to the New York Arsenal.

This is the standard configuration, made of black leather with the latch tab secured just by a straight line of stitching, fitted on the rear with belt loops for a waistbelt and buckles and horizontal loops for attachment of a shoulder belt. The inner flap with side ears is in place and is marked by Gaylord. The implement pouch with its separate flap, latch tab and retaining loop is in place. The magazine tins, designed to hold a pack of cartridges in the bottom and loose cartridges in an upper tray are there, but one of them is missing the top front and the divider used in the upper tray is present, but loose. There are also two small pieces of heavy cloth in the tins, perhaps cleaning patches left by the soldier. The latch tab has a break on one side of the fastening hole and loss of finish, but the box in general has good color. The cover shows creases and cracking to the finish from flexing, but no large spots of finish loss or flaking.

The box still has its full-length bridle leather shoulder sling attached. Like the box flap, this shows crackling and creasing from flexing, but good color and few losses to the surface. It is securely fastened to buckles on the bottom of the box. One side shows a partial tear corresponding the top edge of the horizontal retaining loop of the upper rear of the box- likely from folding it sharply to the rear of the box rather than draping it over the front. This could be repaired to prevent it tearing further and for appearances. The original sling plate and box plate are in place with matching, undisturbed age patinas and what look like their original attachment thongs.

This is a very good, complete and all original example of the standard U.S. infantryman’s cartridge box rig.  [sr] [ph:L]

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