Wooden Cartridge Boxes

[Eggman]

Civil War cartridges were shipped to the troops via wooden boxes. How were the tops of these boxes attached? Was a screw driver required to open?

[RaiderANV]

The 1861 US Army Ordnance Manual describes how .58cal "ball" cartridges are to be packed to ship to the troops on the front lines:

"Cartridges are packed in boxes containing 1,000 each... [they are] made of white pine boards... nailed together, and and are furnished with wooden brackets or handles nailed to the ends with wrought nails."

The boxes were painted with a specific color to denote the type of cartridges contained therein. For .58 cal "ball" cartridges, the boxes were painted OD green, and stenciled on the sides with the amount and type of ammunition inside.

Most all were nailed together and lids screwed on with slotted flat screws. Saw one for mountain howitzer rounds that had a piano hinge on one side and two lock hasps on the other meant for 10 canister shot rounds

http://www.ccsutlery.com/store/civil-war-ammunition-boxes.html

[Eggman]

Thanks Pat! Great photo!

[RaiderANV]

Yeah,,,,,took me years to find out why the box would say Blank Cartridges. I was sure it was obvious but needed proof. They sent blank cartridges to the troops so the ones who poured their own rounds would have the cartridge to insert them into.

[Maillemaker]

I believe blank rounds were simply for training. No bullet could be inserted into them. Practically speaking, regular infantry in the field never cast their own bullets. At the time of the Civil War, both sides had very effective manufacturing and transportation mechanisms for ammunition.

Steve

[RaiderANV]

That's possible also Steve. What I found in the archives said they were intended for those casting their own rounds. Many a "sharpshooter" cast their own from the start through the end.

[Eggman]

I believe blank rounds were simply for training. No bullet could be inserted into them. Practically speaking, regular infantry in the field never cast their own bullets. At the time of the Civil War, both sides had very effective manufacturing and transportation mechanisms for ammunition.

Steve

All training except loading drill (where no ammo of any kind was present) was with live ammo. They did not "play army" with blanks like we do now. Rifle training was problematic - the 26th Iowa did their rifle training from the back of a steamboat on the way south.

[Eggman]

I believe that Russian hack was following my post. Did a systems clean - will now hibernate for a while.