Blakeslee Cartridge Box

[Two Flints]

Nice looking Blakeslee 10 Tube Cartridge Box at this link:

http://www.shilohrelics.com/cgi-bin/display_item.asp?109522

Two Flints

[Blair]

Two Flints,

There is a nice reproduction of this Blakeslee ten tube cartridge box.
I believe the one I have came out of Arizona, but I can't remember for sure.
They use aluminum tubing for the box. This does help cut down on the overall weight of the box when full of ammo.

I have checked with several Tinsmiths to see if they could make proper tubes out of sheet tin.
So far I have not found such a company that could roll the sheet tin in small enough diameters to make up the proper size tin tubes.
However, the box is very well made and well worth looking into for those doing a post Civil War impression.
My best,
Blair

[Two Flints]

Hi Blair,

Don't know if you've read this thread from . . . would you believe 7 years ago
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,13249.0.html

Do you remember the name of the maker of your Blakeslee located in Arizona?

Thanks for your post!

Two Flints

[El Supremo]

It's Cooncreekoldwest.com.

I've had the Blakeslee of theirs.  Top quality, if they can still make them. 

Buy the way, from the first hand observations of historians that have tried to make the wooden inserts, close examination shows they were milled in half-round sections and glued to avoid the long holes converging.  I have not seen a modern copy that did not have some run together of the tube holes IF drilled in one piece of wood. 

Poplar was the historically widely used wood for even grain, light weight and less acidic reaction with cartridge cases.  Walnut cartridge blocks in CW ctg "boxes" will react quickly with brass!

Regards, Kevin

[Two Flints]

El Supremo,

Thanks for the link   Here is a page from their online catalog dealing with Cartridge Boxes:

http://www.cooncreekoldwest.com/coon_html/Cartridge.html

How is the quality of their work?  Comments please!

Two Flints

[El Supremo]

Hello, again:

Best quality I've seen.  Leather and leather work was way better than any other currently available ones.  There was only the slightest run-together of the block holes and that was deep in a couple cavities and hard to see, even with a strong light.  We all know the empty 10-tube version is heavy and lots more if filled.  Later, I was told that the fellow making them for Coon Creek was having health problems a couple years ago, so suggest an inquiry about availability and if the same craftsman is involved.

Regards,
Kevin

[El Supremo]

Sorry:
And it should include a  very nice, crisp stamping of maker's historically correct cartouche. 
Kevin

[Blair]

Two Flints,

No, I don't.

My six tube box originally came from Romano. But Larry stopped carrying them because quality fell off. (at least for a time). This has probably been more that 10 years ago.
My 10 tube box came from Arizona. I don't remember the maker. But, I suspect both boxes were made by the same company.
Both are very well made overall except for the material used to make the tubes.
My best,
Blair

[smittyc7]

This is suppose to be the correct tubing size, but I haven't ordered any.  I made a 12 tube box that goes inside of my haversack, but found a source of tubes a retired sutler had.

http://www.brunnerent.com/Tools/Portfolio/frontend/item.asp?type=6&size=0&lngDisplay=0&jPageNumber=4&strMetaTag=

[KEN S]

Blakeslee Cartridge box    $295.  Divorce Lawyer,   $500.    no go..
  but...when they are close in price, I may go for the box....

   HA....Ken

[Two Flints]

Good one Ken . . . I had a good laugh!

[Blair]

Ken S,

I agree with Two Flints.
Go for the box, you will get better service/usage out of it.
My best,
Blair