Rare Lieutenant Henry Metcalf’s Device Magazine (Block) & Belt Clip Carrier.

Rare Lieutenant Henry Metcalf’s Device Magazine (Block) & Belt Clip Carrier. Metcalfe designed a rectangular wooden block, bored along its upper edge for eight rifle cartridges, that could be attached to the side of the standard Trapdoor rifle just ahead of the lock… The block was attached the rifle using special lock mechanism in-letted into the stock. Several of these blocks, filled with cartridges, were to be carried on a special waist belt using a clip carrier made of spring steel with a leather fastening strap for each block. The blocks were to be made and loaded with cartridges at the army’s principal ammunition plant, Frankford Arsenal. 1000 rifles were fitted out with Metcalf’s device for trials. (From McChristian,  U.S. Army in the West 1870 – 1880, Weapons, Uniforms and Accoutrements. pages 185-6. 

The metal parts that attached to the rifle seem more common compared to these blocks, and the clips. Complete blocks with paper wrapped cartridges are very rare and bring over $2500.00 or more depending on condition.

Condition is fine overall, with wood being fine, and the leather on the clip in fine condition as well with some light crackling in a few small areas.