.58 ammo crates

[FreshPrince711]

Hello! Please lmk if I should post this in a different category. I'm attempting to make an accurate federal .58 ammo crate from any arsenal.

Does anyone have a good resource for the stencils for the union .58 ammo crates? From the various arsenals? I can't seem to find much. One authentic campaigner forum mentioned only being stenciled on 2 sides but all the repros I see have 4 sides stenciled. https://www.authentic-campaigner.co...henticity-forums/2877-ammunition-crates/page2


So how did each arsenal FOR SURE mark their boxes aside from the lid? Did they do the sides as well? Does anyone have a stencil list or reference? I want to make different versions of the box from different arsenals.

I've already referenced THIS for building it: https://dibwoodworking.com/2019/03/22/building-a-better-reenactors-ammo-box/

So I have a rough plan in place to build the box. I'm just getting stuck on the stencils, accurate styles, markings and etc. including in the inside of the lid.

Also the paint. "Olive green" isn't enough for me to go off of. Does someone know of a color tint number I should go for? Or a color name that's acceptable? I know it has to be oil based. Also I know Olive was for Minnie ball (I think…) and I think I've seen a buck and ball crate in like a sky blue? And something else in a red crate? Compression ball?

Any help is appreciated! Spending hours on Google trying to find original records sucks and got me nowhere. Figured I needed to ask the experts. Thanks!

 

[BartlbyAdams]

Might not be exactly what you're asking but I'd imagine it will get you pretty far down the right road...

Thread 'Watertown ammo crate'

Jun 19, 2025

This is an 300/700 marked ammo crate meant to be known it had 300 Williams durring the war this box would have been made in 1863 by Watertown Arsenal part of my collection now

• 2ndDEboy
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Relic Hunting & Collecting

• 

 

[FreshPrince711]

Might not be exactly what your asking but I'd imagine it will get you pretty far down the right road...

Thread 'Watertown ammo crate'

Jun 19, 2025

This is an 300/700 marked ammo crate meant to be known it had 300 Williams durring the war this box would have been made in 1863 by Watertown Arsenal part of my collection now

• 2ndDEboy
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Relic Hunting & Collecting

• 

Thanks! Thats close and will help, especially with the 2-vs-4 side marking question. I'm trying to find the original documents and if anyone has original stencil patterns or exact duplicates. Original boxes have a very faded pattern and it's hard to trace.

Also asking if anyone has the official color name, or tint numbers, for the green on the box

 

[BartlbyAdams]

Again not entirely what your asking but here is the recipe for era correct (1864) Olive paint. Stenciling is also discussed in the regulation. Link below.

Ordnance Instructions : United States Navy Dept : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Book digitized by Google from the library of Harvard University and uploaded to the Internet Archive by user tpb.

archive.org

I think this website is exactly what you're looking for:

OlivePaint.htm

 

[FreshPrince711]

Again not entirely what your asking but here is the recipe for era correct (1864) Olive paint. Stenciling is also discussed in the regulation. Link below.

View attachment 570904

Ordnance Instructions : United States Navy Dept : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Book digitized by Google from the library of Harvard University and uploaded to the Internet Archive by user tpb.

archive.org

I think this website is exactly what you're looking for:

OlivePaint.htm

That's awesome! As much as I strive for accuracy I cannot mix these in my apartment. I was hoping to find a Behr or SW paint that matches. So far I have:

Behr Cavalry Brown N220-7d
Sherman Williams Garden Path SW2929

Found on old 2004 forums discussing this exact question. https://www.authentic-campaigner.co...3774-sources-for-correct-ordnance-green-paint

I have yet to get a color chip of Garden Path but I will by end of day.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Thanks! Thats close and will help, especially with the 2-vs-4 side marking question. I'm trying to find the original documents and if anyone has original stencil patterns or exact duplicates. Original boxes have a very faded pattern and it's hard to trace.

Also asking if anyone has the official color name, or tint numbers, for the green on the box

I think it as officially known as "Baby Shirt Green". I couldnt be mistaken though.

 

[johan_steele]

Are you only doing .58 cartridges? What arsenal are you looking to replicate?

The olive green was .58, blue was .69 buck and ball, red buckshot and light blue was .69 & .71 Minnie.

Different arsenals marked things differently as well.

 

[Joe Whitworth]

You can make your olive green by mixing black and yellow. Sounds improbable but it does.