Manufactured by W.H. Wilkinson of Springfield Massachusetts. The Blakeslee cartridge box was designed to hold ten metal tubes each of which contained seven .50 caliber Spencer cartridges. The tubes could be used to rapidly reload the seven-round Spencer carbine magazine. The Blakeslee cartridge box consists of a leather covered wooden block drilled with ten holes for the cartridge tubes and ten tinned metal tubes. The box has a hinged lid with closure strap, a brass closure finial near the top of the box, a leather shoulder strap with two brass swivels on the sides of the box and a belt loop with brass finial on the back of the box. The box and shoulder strap are made of black harness leather. The face of the cartridge box is stamped: "BLAKESLEES CARTRIDGE BOX" in an arch over "U.S./PATd DEC 20 1864/REISSUED FEB.7.1865/W.H. WILKINSON/MAKER/SPRINGFIELD,MASS." in six lines. A smaller, "U.S." property mark is stamped below the manufacturer's markings. A script Ordnance inspection mark is stamped on the closure strap. The Ordnance Department purchased 32,000, ten tube, "Cavalry Style" Blakeslee cartridge boxes from W.H. Wilkinson and Emerson, Gaylord and Co., between 1864 and 1866. Although the Blakeslee cartridge boxes had the potential to provide a high sustained rate of fire for troopers armed with the Spencer carbine, the cartridge boxes were heavy and cumbersome. The Civil War ended before significant numbers of them were delivered. The cartridge boxes apparently saw only limited use following the Civil War. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Exceptionally fine. The black leather is smooth with a few very minor flex marks and minimal flaking. All of the stitching is tight. The shoulder strap, usually missing from surviving Blakeslee cartridge boxes, is original and complete with the keeper. The ten cartridge tubes are all original and very fine. The tubes retain 90% of the original tinned finish. The maker's name and patent markings on the front of the box are sharp and clear. The Ordnance inspection mark on the closure tab is legible. Complete Blakeslee cartridge boxes are rare. This exceptional, complete and original Blakeslee cavalry ten-tube cartridge box is one of the finest examples of a Blakeslee cartridge box extant.