The tall hexagonal cartridge box is very similar to an example in the Smithsonian Institution Civil War Collection. It has a black leather exterior over wooden base that holds ten cartridge tubes each of which were designed to hold seven Spencer carbine cartridges. This style of box was designed by Erastus Blakeslee of the 1st Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry who received U.S. patent number 45,469 for his cartridge box design on December 20, 1864. This is the larger of the three styles he created. Also included in this lot is a box of cartridges with a green label marked "FORTY-TWO , PRIMED/METALLIC CARTRIDGES/FOR/SPENCER CARBINE,/CAL. 50, MODEL 1865./MANUFACTURED BY/SAGE AMMUNITION WORKS,/Middletown, Conn."

The leather exterior has some scrapes and marks but is in very good shape overall. Aside the lower replacement D-ring and corresponding studs, the metal has an aged patina and some verdigris is on the left side of the lid hinge. The wood interior is in excellent shape. Nine of the cartridge tubes appear original and have oxidation on the exposed upper sections and interior whereas the lower sections remain mostly bright. The remaining tube is a replacement and is bright. The ammunition box is in very good shape and is wrapped for its protection. Overall, this is a very nice set that would compliment a fine Spencer carbine.