ITEM # 537
US Model 1864 Cartridge Box Belonging to Private Frederick M. Stafford, Co. F, 8th Connecticut Infantry

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This is a Dingee & Lorigan made box which has an embossed "US" in oval on the cover and maker mark on the back between the belt loops. The exterior leather is in very good plus shape, crazed on the flex point of the cover and the bottom corners, but still supple and intact. The accourement pocket is faintly marked "F.M.S." in pencil on the cover and carved "F M S (upside down) inside. The tin insert is present and exhibits a few small spots of corrosion. The attached shoulder belt has no provision for a plate and is heavily flaked but still flexible. Frederick Maitland Stafford is listed as having entered the Army as a Private on April 4, 1864, mustering into Co. F, 8th Conn. Infantry, and mustering out on December 12, 1865. Accompanying the cartridge box is a typewritten sheet (probably a rough draft for an obituary) from Stafford's family which sheds a little more light on his post-war life; he went to Deadwood, Dakota Territory, "…nestling high in the Black Hills…", and California in order, "…to see the large trees there". He eventually passed away on December 26, 1909 from a heart attack after shoveling snow. Three smaller, hand written notes attest to the box's ownership. This is a fine, identified box with a lot of ancillary information. (2072-3) (800/1200) SOLD FOR $575.00