Beschreibung:

Because of the rapid speed that a Spencer carbine could be fired, a special box needed to be designed to hold cartridges for loading. Erasmus Blakeslee patented this box late in 1864 as the first practical speed loader adopted by the U.S. military. Government contracts for over 30,000 boxes were delivered to the War Department but few were used in the Civil War. This particular box is marked with a cartouche on front of box: “BLAKESLEES CARTRIDGE BOX / US / Pat'd Dec 20 1864 / REISSUED FEB 7 1865 / W.H. WILKINSON / MAKER / SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - U.S." This box is in sound condition, being composed of leather over a wood block with tin covering. Box retains hard to find original carrying strap and hooks. CONDITION: Box is overall solid but is missing end of leather locking tab. Leather covering is in good condition with solid stitching and no soft spots. Maker’s mark stamped in leather is partially obscured from period wear. Interior wood block and all ten tin cartridge tubes are present and in good condition. PROVENANCE: Dr. Frank Wagner cavalry museum collection. Condition: (Very Good). Name Value Paperwork