Soldier's Cartridge Box

Soldier’s Cartridge Box

The cartridge box is made of thick black leather. Inside, for stiffening, there is a wooden block with appropriately hollowed spaces where the charges (ammunition for the flintlock musket) were carried. This kept the charges well-secured and difficult to damage. The cartridge box was worn on a white leather belt approximately 7 cm wide. A rolled forage cap could be strapped to the bottom of the box. A short transverse strap was used to pin the cartridge box to a button on the back of the uniform. Thus immobilized, it did not move during long marches. The number “4,” stamped from brass sheet, is placed on the flap. On voltigeur cartridge boxes, instead of the regiment number, a brass horn was worn, and for grenadiers, a flaming grenade. The box held about 30 charges.