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SPECIAL OFFERING – McKEEVER AND FRAZIER CARTRIDGE
BOXES – VERY NICE SPECIMENS: On occasion
when the opportunity presents, I’m able to pass along a
windfall purchase and these three Indian War era
cartridge boxes are the result of such an occasion.
All three are very decent examples and they are offered
here well below the normal market pricing. Each is
described below with accompanying photographs.
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MODEL 1903, 4th PATTERN, MCKEEVER CARTRIDGE BOX
FOR THE KRAG RIFLE AND CARBINE: Manufactured
in “fair” or russet leather, this was the last pattern
of the McKeever Rifle Cartridge Box produced by Rock
Island Arsenal, and was made for carrying the .30/40
Krag ammunition.
Date stamped “1903” as well as “Rock Island Arsenal” and
inspected “H.E.K.”, this cartridge box was made in the
first year of production of this pattern and the first
year that russet leather accoutrements were produced by
the arsenals. Showing very minimal use, the leather has
an overall smooth, shiny surface with no crazing or
flaking, and a nice even russet color. All of the seams
are intact, the closing tab and belt loops are full form
and intact, and the bottom gusset is intact and supple.
The interior is in excellent condition, showing little
evidence of having carried cartridges. Stamped into the
left outside side panel is “74 REG’T 216”, a unit
inventory number, likely for the 74TH
Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard.
This 4th Model McKeever is a very respectable
specimen of the last of the leather cartridge boxes.
(0524) $65
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NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA SECOND PATTERN
VARIANT MCKEEVER CARTRIDGE BOX: As described in
Dorsey’s Indian War Cartridge Pouches, Boxes and
Carbine Boots on page 88, this .45-70 caliber
National Guard of Pennsylvania Second Pattern Variant
McKeever Box with the tool compartment formed in the end
panel,
was manufactured under a state
procurement contract as indicated by the civilian
maker’s stamp on the closing tab and McKeever Patent
acknowledgment on the cartridge loops bellows. The
overall condition of this piece is very good, with fine
smooth leather overall, with minimal crazing
concentrated on the closing tab. The brass closing tab
escutcheon and corner staples were omitted from this
variant, probably as a cost saving measure. All of the
seams are intact, the gusset is intact and supple, and
the interior is in very good condition, showing some
signs of having carried cartridges, but no damage, wear
or fraying to the canvas loops.
(0312) $70
 
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FRAZIER’S CARTRIDGE BOX: As described in
Dorsey’s Indian War Cartridge Pouches, Boxes and
Carbine Boots, pages 125-131, this Frazier’s Patent
Cartridge Box was issued to National Guard and State
Militia units and is one of the more unusual ammunition
carriers of the period. This example is fitted with a
wooden block designed to hold 18 - .45 caliber rounds,
as opposed to the more common .50 caliber blocks
encountered. The box is in very good condition, with
all seams intact, the belt loops and closing tab fitted
with the brass escutcheon present and intact, and both
brass hinges intact and solidly attached. The leather
surfaces are generally bright with some areas of light
crazing, and some flaking along the bottom edge of the
front cover. Both the maker’s and patent information
stamps are present and fully legible.
The interior of the box
cover bears a unit applied inventory control
identification stencil “1 K 23” indicating the First
Regiment, Company K, soldier or item number 23.
Despite the evidence of issue and use, this Frazier
Cartridge Box presents as a very credible representative
example (0313) $65
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