Modified English cartridge pouch

[Ralph Heinz]

In Paul Johnson's book, Civil War Cartridge Boxes, he included two pages about "English Pattern Cartridge Boxes" which we know as the P1860 pouch. Johnson included a Massachusetts Master Armorer's report that some 3000 sets of English accoutrements were on hand but they "require some alterations before they will be fit for issue." Photos showed two different Union soldiers -- quite possibly soldiers from Massachusetts wearing full English accoutrements including the cartridge pouches which show what I believe to be the "alteration" the armorer was referring to. This would be cutting the leather of the inner flap away to make it much easier to draw cartridges from the pouch. The rounded ends of the cut away inner flap can be seen in photos of soldiers with this alteration but not often. Has anyone seen one of these pouches altered by the State of Massachusetts? I have placed a white piece of paper over the end of the flap of a non-altered pouch showing what was removed and this would have shortened the inner flap across the front as well.

 

[Ralph Heinz]

Here is a photo of a soldier with the alteration to his P1860 pouch.

 

[Legion Para]

English accoutrements is a much understudied topic. Thanks @Ralph Heinz for posting this.

 

[Legion Para]

This is a must have for anyone interested in Union accoutrements.

 

[9th tn dancyville grays]

There some great books that has been written on this subject