What is a US box plate?

Description. An original 1839 oval “US” cartridge box plate. The face is brass and the back is lead filled with 2 iron loops for attaching to the cartridge box lid with a leather thong. These were used through much of the American Civil War, by the Union Army.

What was a cartridge box used for?

Military smoothbore muskets were loaded using pre-packaged paper cartridges containing a powder charge and lead ball, or a ball with several smaller shot, known as “Buck Shott and Ball.” To carry these cartridges, soldiers were issued a leather cartridge (cartouche) box or pouch, enclosing a wooden block pierced with …

What is a Civil War breast plate?

They are strong steel plates, so fixed that a ball glances instead of piercing. Unfortunately they had them on the wrong place.” Armor vests or breastplates were not standard issue during the Civil War, but were sold by private military outfitters or sutlers who followed the armies on their campaigns.

What is a Civil War cartridge box?

Description: The Civil War soldier’s essential equipment was made of leather. The cartridge box was slung over the left shoulder on a leather sling and held 40 rounds of ammunition. The brass “US” was to help weigh the flap down. The cap pouch was hung on the belt, and contained brass caps used to fire the weapons.

Did they use cartridges in the Civil War?

The Wesson M1859 was a breech-loading, metallic rimfire cartridge rifle used during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. The carbine was used by US Cavalry, typically purchased by state governments or individuals. Mainly imported by the Confederacy as a weapon for sharpshooters.

When was the cartridge box invented?

While this is referred to as an “1857” Pattern Box (because it was designed for belt and sling carriage), it was not actually produced in quantity until April of 1861 when the Government ran short of Cartridge Box slings and Boxes which could be carried on a sling and waistbelt were in great demand.

What is a eagle breast plate?

Union breastplate with eagle. Description. This breastplate, which was worn on cartridge belt across chest of a Federal soldier, was found near Normandy, Tenn. Date. 1861-1865.

What does the breastplate with Eagle Symbolise?

Breastplate with eagle was the symbol of the German Empire. It is an allegorical representation of strength.

What does the crown of oak leaves stand for?

Germany’s oak-leaf crown symbolises the honour of bravery and velour that represented the people of Germany who were ruled by foreign forces.