Cartridge Boxes & Case's

[Johnny McCrae]

Does anyone have any pictures of Cartridge Boxes or Case's in addition to what is shown in "Packing Iron"? I need to make a new rig for myself. I now have three different calibers that I use. I'm thinking of carrying my cartridge's in a case or box on my belt rather than in loops. Is this a practical idea or should I stick with loops?

Any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I would stay with loops or a cartridge/bullet pouch. Carrying a whole box is roomy and heavier than you probably will like. I have loops on some belts but mostly, I use a bullet pouch for a couple spares in case I eject a live round or otherwise need to load on the clock. For that matter, your vest pocket works well, too. Here's a picture of my outlaw rig. The pouch will get replaced with a more historically correct one when I figure out what I want. I use the shotgun belt for one of the holster belts which is more historically correct than a shotgun slide and I can put shells wherever is most convenient. A plain belt holds the other pistol.

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Marshall,

Actually what I'm thinking of making is pretty much like the cartridge/bullet pouch that you have pictured. I was not sure of the correct terminology to use or what to call it. I was thinking of a pouch rather than a box. It looks like your pouch is constructed much like a miniature saddle bag. Many thanks for your help.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It's actually a pattern for a C&B bullet pouch. I'm leaning toward one more like a Henry crtridge case for the next one.

[ChuckBurrows]

CW and Indian War Period cap boxes are another style that was used for extra cartridges - several sites as well as PI have pics - they are a one piece molded front sewn to a back pieces

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Marshall,
Thank you for the pictures of the Henry Cartridge Box.

Howdy Chuck,
Thank you for the information and the idea of molding the front piece.

[santee]

Johnny, I have one and it is exactly like a mini saddlebag. You know how to do those! It's like your saddlebags got together when you weren't looking, and now they have a baby. 

[Johnny McCrae]

Santee, I like your Saddle Bag mating idea. Maybe I could get my Harley to get together with another Harley and.......

I did a little bit of research and came up with this very rough and preliminary design of a Cartridge Pouch. The front pocket panel and gusset are a one piece molded part. I will make up a prototype out of scrap leather to check out the proportions. Any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated. I want to make this as period correct as possible

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Maybe I could get my Harley to get together with another Harley and.......

Whoa! Honda 50!

I've used mine enough to find that the curved bottom is easier to get cartridges out because they don't get hung up in the corners. I really like the design you have, but remember you have to get the rounds out. Maybe you could put wooden tussets inside to make a curved inside edge. SASS doesn't allow you to organize the cartridges inside a pouch but the Henry one has loops on the outside so it should qualify as a cartridge slide. The Henry pouch has loops inside, too, but they would not be allowed. A McKeever pouch converted for shotshells has been approved as legal already because when open it is considered a "slide". Triggersmith made one based on the McKeever design. Here's a link to that thread:
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,16648.0.html

[Dalton Masterson]

Hidecrafters has a pattern for the 1841 and 1859 Ammo boxes. I built the 1859, and it works great for keeping a cell phone, keys, etc. Its not great big, but you could probably adapt it to suit what you need.
It also doubles as a derringer case right now. Fits right in there with a box of 50 .22s.

Its listed as Ammunition Boxes of the Civil War by Jim Simmons. Its marked #6000-59, which I am assuming is the stock #.
Good pattern set, and great instructions.

DM

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Marshall,
Thanks for the link. That McKeever pouch is really interesting. By the way I did catch my Harley checking out a BMW's cyiinders once.

Howdy Dalton,
Thank you for your suggestion. I checked Hide Crafter's website and found lots of great information.

[WolfWalker]

Just to add a little side note here.

  Go through like Dixie gunworks, at least if you want to go authentic, and get the Cavalry Accoutrements manuals for, I think its 1874 and 1878, they have the patterns with complete measurements.   You just will have to scale them up on a printer/copier to the size you want.  Don't have them close at hand, I'll try to latch on to them next time i get to the Library and get you the names(Even shows/gives the dimensions for the military belt slide for the 45/70 trapdoor springfield(20 rounds twelve on the front, 8 on the back).  Also, if ordering through hidecrafters, Get either of Jim Simmons books YeeHah! or Book of Leatherworking, they both show how to do pouches

Hope this helps

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy WolfWalker,

Many thanks for the information. I greatly appreciate it.