[Olmontanaboy]

I bought a used sabre belt setup off ebay a while back that included a holster, cap box and cartridge box among other things. Everything seems to be of great quailty leather and construction and in nice condition. I have a question about the cartridge box, I think it's a carbine cartridge box as apposed to a musket box but I'm not sure, anyhow, can someone tell me what the buckles on the bottom of the cartridge box are for?
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/filekeeper/cartridgebox002.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/filekeeper/cartridgebox004.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/filekeeper/cartridgebox006.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/filekeeper/cartridgebox010.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/filekeeper/cartridgebox008.jpg

[4v50 Gary]

The buckles on the bottom were attached to the shoulder straps. Cartridge boxes of that type were carried over the shoulder (think Civil War or Revolutionary War). Yours appears to be a post-Civil War box or maybe even an Enfield (Civil War) box. It's short like an Enfield's, but I need a flat shot and not an angled shot. There's no tin carriers inside it, are there? It can even be a cavalry cartridge box. They were shorter than the infantryman's. We need some Civil War reenactors here to tell.

[Olmontanaboy]

Ok Gary, I'll try and get a flat shot and post in a few minutes. Thanks

[Olmontanaboy]

No tin carrier, here's a flat shot:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e367/filekeeper/cb007.jpg

[Phantom Captain]

Hi Olmontanaboy,

What you have there is a cavalry carbine cartridge box. The buckles on the bottom though are interesting. As Gary said, they would be for attaching a sling that would allow you to carry it over the shoulder as the infantry cartridge boxes were carried. However, the cavalry wore their boxes on their belts as yours does indeed have the belt loops. I've never really ever seen one worn on a sling but that doesn't necessarily mean they weren't. Could be that one maker put them there as an option that was never utilized. Most cavalry carbine cartridge boxes only have the belt loops.

To be correct, there would also be a wood block inside the box with holes to hold the individual cartridges.

[Hawkeye748]

You have a calvary cartridge box. These could be worn with a shoulder strap, on a belt, or both. There are inserts meant to go inside it. Original inserts were tin and hold about 40 rounds. Many in the N-SSA use a wooden insert cut to fit and holes drilled to hold the cartridges upright for easy fast access. Hole size depends on what size cartridge you are using.

[Olmontanaboy]

Great, thanks for the info, one more thing, theres a small expandible pouch on the front of the box that can be seen in the forth photo. What was that for?

[Phantom Captain]

It's for tools or patches or both. A small wire nipple pick and an issue takedown tool along with a few spare patches can all be carried there.

I don't carry my musket tool in mine as I've had one bounce out and get lost as I was double quicking and jostling around. Since then my musket tool goes in my haversack. I do carry a few patches and a nipple pick in mine though.

[4v50 Gary]

I knew folks smarter than myself would come along (they always do). :)

[Olmontanaboy]

I appreciate your input Gary along with everyone else. I have a hard time recognizing anyone smarter than me :cool: ,,,, although they seem to be able to recognize me quite readly:D

[Hawkeye748]

The little pouch evolved into carrying small tools etc. but originally, it carried extra flints. The military designers just never removed it.

[arcticap]

Would the buckles allow 2 or more of them to be strung together so that they could hang from the bottom of the one above it?
The belt straps look like they can be unhooked which may allow them to be attached using that or some other jerry-rigged method employing the buckles.

[4v50 Gary]

The shoulder strap ran from over the shoulder and along the back of the cartridge box to the buckles on the bottom. A waist belt kept the box from tipping upside down.