Page 247 - 4095-BOOK1

245
LOT 248
Scarce U.S. Wilkinson Civil War Ten-Tube Blakeslee Cartridge Box for a Spencer Carbine - Manufactured c. 1865 by W.H. Wilkinson of Springfield
Massachusetts. The Blakeslee cartridge box was designed to hold ten metal tubes each of which contained seven .50 caliber Spencer cartridges. The tubes
could be used to rapidly reload the seven-round Spencer carbine magazine. The Blakeslee cartridge box consists of a leather covered wooden block drilled
with ten holes for the cartridge tubes and ten tinned metal tubes. The box has a hinged lid with closure strap (strap partially present), a brass closure finial
near the top of the box, two brass swivels for a shoulder strap are on the sides of the box, and a belt loop with brass finial on the back of the box. The box
is made of black harness leather. The face of the cartridge box is stamped: “BLAKESLEES CARTRIDGE BOX” in an arch over “U.S./PATd DEC 20 1864/REISSUED
FEB.7.1865/W.H. WILKINSON/MAKER/SPRINGFIELD,MASS.” in six lines. A smaller, “U.S.” property mark is stamped below the manufacturer’s markings. A script
Ordnance inspection mark is stamped on the closure strap. The Ordnance Department purchased 32,000, ten tube, “Cavalry Style” Blakeslee cartridge boxes
from W.H. Wilkinson and Emerson, Gaylord and Co., between 1864 and 1866. Although the Blakeslee cartridge boxes had the potential to provide a high
sustained rate of fire for troopers armed with the Spencer carbine, the cartridge boxes were heavy and cumbersome. The Civil War ended before significant
numbers of them were delivered and they apparently saw only limited use following the Civil War. All ten of the correct metal tubes are included.
CONDITION: Very fine, showing mild wear and some scattered scuffs, closure strap partially absent, and the fine original tubes showing some very light
oxidation. These Blakeslee cartridge boxes are a very scarce piece of Civil War history and are a must-have accessory for a Spencer repeating carbine!
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 247
Nickel Plated Civil War U.S. Spencer Model
1860 Army Repeating Rifle - Serial no. 28829,
52 Spencer cal., 30 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock.
Approximately 11,471 of these innovative rifles were manufactured for the
U.S. Army by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company of Boston, Massachusetts, with a few hundred of this type also delivered to
the U.S. Navy, with known deliveries to the U.S Ordnance Department between December 31, 1862 through 1863, according to
related information on pages 48 and 50 of the book “Spencer Repeating Firearms” (1983) by Roy Marcot. This example features a
period nickel plated finish, which would have been ideal for Navy use for protection from the elements such as the salt air, or in harsh
western climates. It has a 30-inch round barrel, tin plated seven-shot magazine tube in the stock, a blade front sight that doubles as a socket bayonet lug, an 800 yard
folding ladder rear sight, six-groove rifling chambered for use with 56-52 “52 Spencer” rimfire, three barrel bands, the three-line Spencer address and patent marking
on top of the breech, and a tin plated inlaid brass dog on top of the stock wrist. The matching serial number “28829” is roll-stamped on the top of the receiver and on the
bottom of the barrel. A remnant of a bordered script inspection cartouche is stamped on the left of the buttstock.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% period nickel plated finish with smooth brown patina and freckling on the balance characteristic of some period western use, and some light
pitting. Wood is very good as sanded and re-oiled, with some general wear, scratches, dents, a crack on top of the wrist, and nice figure. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500