Name/Title
Wooden cartridge blockEntry/Object ID
100397Scope and Content
(AI)
This is an antique wooden cartridge block (or cartridge box insert), a reloading tool/ammunition holder dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century.
Key Details & Function
The Main Block: The main wooden block with drilled holes was used to hold rifle or pistol cartridges upright during manual reloading or transport. The curved, trapezoidal shape allowed it to fit neatly inside a leather cartridge pouch or belt box carried by soldiers, hunters, or shooters.
The Wooden Peg: The small wooden pin lying in front is a powder plug, crimp stopper, or wooden counting/indexing peg. In early reloading setups, these pegs were inserted into empty holes to keep track of steps (such as filled powder charges) or were used to plug individual chambers when packing.
Common Uses
Civil War or Indian Wars Era Military Pouch Insert: Used inside leather cartridge boxes to carry fixed metallic cartridges (such as .45-70 Government, .50-70, or early revolver cartridges) safely without them clanking or getting damaged.
Handloading / Reloading Bench Block: Used on a workbench to organize hand-cast lead bullets and brass casings while measuring black powder and seating primers.
