Model 1839 /1841 Mississippi Rifle Cartridge Box – Modified to Accept A Sling

Model 1839 Musket / ’41 Mississippi Rifle Cartridge Box – Modified To Accept a Sling,  Probably not a unique box, but certainly a scarce one, with modification. A leather strap of 11/32 of an inch by 5 5/8 inches was riveted to the upper section of the box to leave room for a belt through the original sewn belt loops. Two Infantry officer “I” buttons were attached to the bottom of the box to hold the straps end in place. The buttons appear to have been held in place by a thong that slides through the bales. This modification could have been done at the early part of the Civil War. The fact that the small 1839 box plate is attached makes it highly unlikely that the box was done by Confederates.

The box, other than the modifications looks like a Model 1839 Cartridge Box, but without the buckles for sling makes this a ’41 Mississippi Box .  The tins hare compartmented into 5 sections to hold it’s  .54 caliber cartridges.  The box overall is in very good condition with all stitching tight, The leather on the flag showing crazing mostly around the bottom from much use getting to cartridges. The box plate his held on by its original leather thong. The leather closure strap is in tack and functional. A period cotton string is tied around a button, and what use it had is not known.

Many of these boxes were modified for sling at the beginning of the War due to a lack of supply of new ones. State Militias followed the government plan to modify these ’39 boxes for sling as well.  In this case the box being offered is a 1839 box originally issued for use with with the ’41 Mississippi Rifle. The only other box of this pattern originally issued without an implement compartment was the 1839 Carbine box with belt loops only.

A scarce box with interesting changes.