What do y'all think

[jekct1212]

Made this to hold cartridges but was this the right thing to have written on the lid?

 

[Jobe Holiday]

I would guess what your goal is?
J.

 

[MRB1863]

I guess if it works for you....

 

[Legion Para]

You might find this thread of interest.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/58-caliber-rifle-cartridges-blanks.846

The Internet contains a great deal of information on Civil War cartridges and their packaging.

http://www.11th-miss.com/ammunition.htm

 

[Spunk Puppy]

OP, it might be more fun if you recreated the original paper packet these cartridges came in.

 

[Package4]

I think the poster is looking to build a wooden ammo crate? If so and you are not that handy with woodworking tools, just use the dimensions, stencils and forget the dovetailing. Make sure you use slotted wood screws, the Phillip's head wasn't around in 1861. You also need to paint the crate and I believe the article gives you the arsenal color and best modern match.

www.2ncmi.org/AmmoBoxArticle.pdf

 

[johan_steele]

http://www.charliesboatworks.com/

 

[Craig L Barry]

Stenciling should be with the name of the Arsenal on both ends and inside the lid. 1" pine boards, and as was posted earlier slotted screws. That said, this effort is far from the worst ammo crate I have seen at an event. Just for show or do you plan on filling it with arsenal packs?

 

[jekct1212]

Just to keep the cartridges I use for target shooting, if I intended to bring it to a reenactment I would define try put more effort in

 

[johan_steele]

I think the poster is looking to build a wooden ammo crate? If so and you are not that handy with woodworking tools, just use the dimensions, stencils and forget the dovetailing. Make sure you use slotted wood screws, the Phillip's head wasn't around in 1861. You also need to paint the crate and I believe the article gives you the arsenal color and best modern match.

www.2ncmi.org/AmmoBoxArticle.pdf

I'm unfamiliar with any arsenal that dovetailed any ammo crates. Just curious if you know of one?

 

[johan_steele]

Stenciling should be with the name of the Arsenal on both ends and inside the lid. 1" pine boards, and as was posted earlier slotted screws. That said, this effort is far from the worst ammo crate I have seen at an event. Just for show or do you plan on filling it with arsenal packs?

Craig, one US arsenal didn't mark the outside of their crates with their name just on the inside of the lid. I think it might have been Watervliet but I'm just guessing. You wouldn't have any idea?

I have passing acquaintance who unintentionally became a collector of original ammo crates. He's got a St. Louis .58 in just about pristine condition, an Indianapolis .58 that was rode hard and put up wet and an unknown w/ .58 and Springfield on the handles but everything else has long since faded. But his prize is a Benica Arseanl .58 marked 1865 that when he bought it was about 1/3 full of original unopened arsenal packs and unopened tobacco packs... got it an auction for $50. Bum sold off 3-4 of those packs and recouped all his money from that auction and then some. He's got a stack of original rifle muskets (M1861, M1863, M1864 & P53) over the top of it in the center of his man cave. Some people got all the luck.

 

[lelliott19]

I'm unfamiliar with any arsenal that dovetailed any ammo crates. Just curious if you know of one?

Ive got this one with dovetailed corners from the Wabash River Ordnance Works, but its from a different era. Still - pretty cool I think.

WWII M3 Block Crate measures 13"x10"x10"

Imprint reads:

"16 blocks Demolition M3
COMPOSITION B-3
IN HAVERSACKS R-7-OAA
LOT WAB-6 (Wabash River Ordnance Works)
LOADED
CHG"

 

[Spunk Puppy]

These boxes and crates are fascinating. I never knew '51 Navy ammo came in a blue box like that.

 

[Package4]

I'm unfamiliar with any arsenal that dovetailed any ammo crates. Just curious if you know of one?

Watertown Arsenal

 

[Package4]

I'm unfamiliar with any arsenal that dovetailed any ammo crates. Just curious if you know of one?

On the southern side, Richmond, Palmetto and Fayettville crates were dovetailed construction. Most artillery ordinance seemed to be shipped in dovetailed crates as well, most likely due to structural integrity.

 

[johan_steele]

Watertown Arsenal

Thanks!

 

[TinCan]

Man the things you can learn on this site!

 

[Frederick14Va]

Ive got this one with dovetailed corners from the Wabash River Ordnance Works, but its from a different era. Still - pretty cool I think.

WWII M3 Block Crate measures 13"x10"x10"
View attachment 88458
Imprint reads:

"16 blocks Demolition M3
COMPOSITION B-3
IN HAVERSACKS R-7-OAA
LOT WAB-6 (Wabash River Ordnance Works)
LOADED
CHG"
View attachment 88459
View attachment 88460

This one actually incorporates what is known as a Finger Joint....

 

[Frederick14Va]

Depending on which arsenal and when... there is a variety of construction methods known. Many of the early war ammunition boxes were typically noted to have Dovetail, Box/Finger, or Rabbet/Lap Joints at the corners... Which type were used when, if any.... and for how long depended on the Arsenal in question... Mid war and onward it was more common to find a simple butt joint being used by many if not by most... cheaper and quicker to make.. Abet each arsenal usually had their own characteristic habits.....

Many will biblically adhere to what the Ord Regs may indicate.. however what was actually produced and issued in the field frequently was found to be something slightly different... Construction patterns and assembly methods... sizes... box painted colors, and markings... floated and evolved over the course of the war for many... I make all of mine based on original issued ones...

 

[Package4]

Thanks!

No problem, as a note, Fayetteville, Palmetto and Richmond also had their crates dovetailed, on the Southern side of things.
Most Artillery crates that I have viewed are also dovetailed, most likely due to the weight and structural integrity required to bear the load. The St Louis Arsenal also started to dovetail, I remember seeing a friction primer crate with dove tailing.

The crates that were salvaged from the USS Cairo were also dovetailed, though they were submerged so long that the stenciling was obscured and the arsenal is unknown.

Richmond Ammo crate below:



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