Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
Cartridge boxes were used by Union soldiers in the Civil War to hold between 30 and 40 metal cartridges containing lead bullets and gunpowder for their rifles. The box features multiple leather flaps, and the brass “US” plate on the outermost flap is weighted so the box would remain closed and its contents dry even if the box wasn’t closed or latched properly. The long leather strap could be worn around the neck, or the box could be carried on the belt using loops on the back.