Newcomb & Lyon Patent Cartridge Box 1867

Newcomb & Lyon Patent Cartridge Box 1867, never adopted for U.S. military use. Holds 30 rounds in .50 caliber.  Fine construction and made for wear on the waist belt only.  The patent provides for cartridge holes with spring devise which presumably pushed the cartridge upward for easier extraction from the box.  The flap has a spring mounted to it which keep the shape of the flap in a close position. A well thought out box but perhaps cost, and weight may have been the reason for the army’s rejection.

The makers were awarded the patent No. 71633 in 1867.  Newcomb and Lyon manufactured this cartridge box in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The brown leather box is in very good condition, the flap closure strap is heavily crazed, while the remainder of the box is in fine condition with light wear to finish. Marked on the inside box at top “PATENTED / 1867.”

A nice example of an early Indian Wars cartridge box.

Not commonly found.