Up for sale/sale is an exceptionally scarce piece of late 19th-century American naval history: an original U.S. Navy Leather Cartridge Box detailed for use with the early bolt-action repeating rifles deployed during the post-Civil War Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War transitions.
This piece features an attached historical collection tag attributing its inspection directly to the Boston Navy Yard ordnance team under William M. Folger (WMF Ins.), who served as the Chief of the Navy Bureau of Ordnance in the early 1890s.
Historical Background & Significance
During the late 1870s and 1880s, the U.S. Navy broke from standard U.S. Army single-shot infantry equipment. Instead, the Navy pioneered advanced repeating bolt-action rifles, primarily the Winchester-Hotchkiss and the Remington-Lee Model 1879, both chambered in the heavy .45-70 Government cartridge.
Because naval personnel numbers were vastly smaller than land forces, surviving leather accoutrements specifically inspected and stamped for these Navy platforms are incredibly rare compared to standard Army surplus from the period.
Condition Details
• Leather: Original uncleaned finish with heavy crazing, superficial cracking, and deep historical patina. The structural integrity is excellent for its age, avoiding the common dry-rot failure seen in poorly stored items.
• Stitching: Mostly intact, holding the main pouch shape firmly.
• Provenance: Includes the historic paper collection tag noting: "U.S. Navy Cartridge Box for the Winchester Hotchkiss/Remington Lee Rifle 45-70. WMF Ins. William M. Folgers".
Measurements
• Width: ~4 inches
• Height: ~3 inches
+++++++SAVE SELLER!+++++++
ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS. ITEM SHOWN IN PICTURES IS ITEM YOU WILL RECEIVE. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO DESCRIBE ALL ITEMS AS WELL AS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, SOME THINGS MAY NOT STAND OUT TO ME OR SEEM IMPORTANT. PLEASE BE SURE TO VIEW ALL PHOTOS ENLARGED TO BETTER DETERMINE QUALITY AND CONDITION AND BE SURE TO ASK ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS. OUR GOAL IS TO RESPOND TO ALL MESSAGES WITH IN 24 BUSINESS HOURS.
HOURS OF OPERATION ARE: MON-FRIDAY FROM 9 A.M.- 6 P.M. EST
WE RUN A SMALL FAMILY OWNED STORE FRONT WHERE WE PURCHASE MILITARY SURPLUS AS WELL AS SOME ANTIQUES AND OTHER ITEMS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BY WAY OF ESTATE SALES. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR ITEMS ARE USED OR PREVIOUSLY OWNED UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. ITEMS MAY COME FROM A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTS WHICH MAY HAVE CONTAINED SMOKE, PETS OR OTHER ALLERGENS.
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