Richmond Arsenal Pack Labels

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

So I plan on having a few Richmond arsenal ammunition crates made for me.

It's my understanding that ten rounds or so were placed inside of small packs inside of the crates. I've seen several boxes that have been reproduced from originals that say "Elongated Ball" or "Conical Ball" on them. Do the pack labels have to match the boxes?

Stencil Richmond Arsenal Aug. '64 - Etsy

Richmond Arsenal ammo crate labels dated August, 1864, created from images of an original ammo crate. Stencil is laser cut from mylar sheets, incredibly durable and reusable. Includes stencils for the underside of the lid, ends, and sides.

www.etsy.com

 

[Craig L Barry]

I am not exactly sure what you are asking? Without getting overly detailed here, the reason for the information stenciled on the outside of the crate was to identify the contents inside. With so many different muskets issued in various calibers, there were tremendous challenges getting the right ammunition to the front line. So yes, ideally the arsenal packs inside the crate should match the labeling on the outside.

 

[johan_steele]

So I plan on having a few Richmond arsenal ammunition crates made for me.

It's my understanding that ten rounds or so were placed inside of small packs inside of the crates. I've seen several boxes that have been reproduced from originals that say "Elongated Ball" or "Conical Ball" on them. Do the pack labels have to match the boxes?

Stencil Richmond Arsenal Aug. '64 - Etsy

Richmond Arsenal ammo crate labels dated August, 1864, created from images of an original ammo crate. Stencil is laser cut from mylar sheets, incredibly durable and reusable. Includes stencils for the underside of the lid, ends, and sides.

www.etsy.com

I would find another supplier, the pictured ammo crate does not look correct to me. Whether the wording or the shape I can't say without looking it up.

I don't believe the people I used to suggest are still in business & I'm not certain they made Richmond Arsenal crates. I believe the US ammo crates were made to the same requirements as US.

 

[JimW]

Interesting article, and a link to a pdf in it:

https://www.stonewallbrigade.net/how-to-make-a-richmond-arsenal-musket-ammunition-crate/

In the .pdf they show this which I believe they are saying is an original:

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

I am not exactly sure what you are asking? Without getting overly detailed here, the reason for the information stenciled on the outside of the crate was to identify the contents inside. With so many different muskets issued in various calibers, there were tremendous challenges getting the right ammunition to the front line. So yes, ideally the arsenal packs inside the crate should match the labeling on the outside.

Thank you. What was the ammunition for the 1853 Enfield referred to as? "Elongated" or "Conical"?

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Interesting article, and a link to a pdf in it:

https://www.stonewallbrigade.net/how-to-make-a-richmond-arsenal-musket-ammunition-crate/

In the .pdf they show this which I believe they are saying is an original:

View attachment 431852

Thank you. Now I need to figure out what the ammunition for the 1853 Enfield was referred to as.

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

Correct me if I'm wrong but were the inside of wartime ammunition crates packed with sawdust?

 

[johan_steele]

Thank you. Now I need to figure out what the ammunition for the 1853 Enfield was referred to as.

The original pictured shows elongated. The CS ordnance department didn't care if the ammo was going to feed a P53, Richmond or captured Springfield series arm. Just so long as it went down range.

 

[Craig L Barry]

The surviving examples of Richmond ammo crates that I have seen are stenciled CAL .57 .58 ELONGATED BALL as johan steele states.

 

[johan_steele]

Correct me if I'm wrong but were the inside of wartime ammunition crates packed with sawdust?

The single original crate I've seen that was partially filled was a St Louis Arsenal IIRC and there was no packing material. The belief it had been bought post war as surplus.

 

[14NYSM]

An example of a rebel 10 round bundle with applied paper label.

 

[Johnny_Reb_1865]

An example of a rebel 10 round bundle with applied paper label.
View attachment 431966

Thank you. What was the purpose for putting dates on ammunition boxes and packages? Also this pack was from the Charleston arsenal.

 

[johan_steele]

Thank you. What was the purpose for putting dates on ammunition boxes and packages? Also this pack was from the Charleston arsenal.

The dates were for quality control, ideally the Ordnance Dept would issue out the oldest ammunition first but reality gets in the way of regulation.

Below is a Macon label. The advantage of seeing multiple different packs is the variety and lack of standardization between arsenals.