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LOT 229
One of the Finest Known, Extremely Rare Civil
War Blakeslee 6-Tube Cartridge Box -
The Blakeslee
box was the invention
of Colonel
Erastus
Blakeslee, the commander of
the 1st Connecticut Cavalry. Col. Blakeslee realized that the slow method of reloading the Spencer rifle
and carbine at one cartridge at a time lessened the true effectiveness of this repeater. In early 1864, Col. Blakeslee designed an ammunition
carrier containing tin
tubes, each holding
seven cartridges,
enough to load the
Spencer’s buttstock
magazine in one swift
motion. The Ordnance Department approved
an order for 500 sets
of “patent accessories”
on September 20,
1864. The boxes were manufactured by John D. Hammond, a Washington contractor. No further
orders were placed for
the 6-tube Blakeslee
boxes, and their service
must have been severe
as evident by the few
surviving examples,
often in extremely poor condition. This high condition example is marked “BLAKESLEES PATENT/U.S./CAVEAT FILED SEP. 19-64” on the lid and contains all six tubes. Ammunition
not included.
CONDITION: Excellent, especially
for this model of cartridge box.
Retains most of its original bridle
leather finish with a number of minor scuffs. The lid marking is clear. All stitching is tight. The brass hangers have an nice aged patina. The implement pouch cover, which is often missing or torn, is excellent. The original six tubes are excellent. Surviving examples of these 6-tube Blakeslee boxes are extremely rare today, and this box is in truly exceptional condition. Certainly one of the finest surviving examples in existence. A rare opportunity to complete a Civil War Spencer display!
Provenance: The David Aroh Collection.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
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