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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: G.W. Strong on January 12, 2012, 02:17:27 PM

Title: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 12, 2012, 02:17:27 PM
Last week I built a replica hardtack box to store my stuff in. I was thinking I might like to make some other military boxes as well. Ammo boxes and crates seem like a logical choice. I would love to see photos of original ammo boxes and crates. I am interested in both the wooden crates and the cardboard inner boxes. If you have photos of other military boxes from the period that once held food or other things I would be interested as well.

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: 1961MJS on January 12, 2012, 02:52:57 PM
Hi

This is a good place to start, and YOU don't have to buy it since it's free online now.   ;D

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924031187887

Later

Mike
Wichita KS
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 12, 2012, 04:03:26 PM
That was great. I also have Ordinance Memoranda 21 from 1878 which specifies the dimensions and colors of the munitions crates though it says nothing about the markings on them.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 12, 2012, 04:14:15 PM
I have also thoroughly mined the McPheeters Antique Militaria sight for things like this. http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/10_field_equip/10_item_025.htm

I am looking for more originals and period photos showing them as well.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 12, 2012, 04:48:47 PM
Here is a pic of the bread box I mentioned above and one of my tents from this afternoon. We are getting snow right now. I figure if the box sits out this winter it may gain a bit of honest age and look less like it was just made in my basement. I had to make stencils for all the lettering but it was a fun project.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Bow View Haymaker on January 12, 2012, 05:54:34 PM
There areplans for a couple original foot lockers on the GAF site as well.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 08:54:50 AM
I saw those and downloaded them.

Does anyone have any period photos with military crates in them?
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Delmonico on January 13, 2012, 09:19:55 AM
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww42/1880historian/Nails/JWForsyth.jpg)

Ok hardtack boxes, but lots of them. ;)

Go to:

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/cwphtml/cwphome.html

Civil War Pictures, mostly Brady's but very high quality (Go get a cup of coffee while they down-load.)  It may taking some searching but a lot of things wouldn't have changed much after the Civil War.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 09:24:08 AM
That is an awesome pic. I hope not to make that many boxes...

How much do we think hardtack crates would have changed over the couple of decades following the war? I copied a Civil war box and omitted the 1861 date of the original.

I'll get a cup of joe and download some pics.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Delmonico on January 13, 2012, 09:33:46 AM
That is an awesome pic. I hope not to make that many boxes...

How much do we think hardtack crates would have changed over the couple of decades following the war? I copied a Civil war box and omitted the 1861 date of the original.

I'll get a cup of joe and download some pics.

Since there were still issuing hardtack made during the Civil War into at least the 1880's, not much and the 1861 date might not be far off.

I don't know if the newer ones had the split willow on them:

(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww42/1880historian/Nails/Lowerright.jpg)

(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww42/1880historian/Nails/Upperleft.jpg)

(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww42/1880historian/Nails/upperright.jpg)

The nails all seem to be the cheaper wire nails also.

Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: 1961MJS on January 13, 2012, 09:38:44 AM
Here is a pic of the bread box I mentioned above and one of my tents from this afternoon. We are getting snow right now. I figure if the box sits out this winter it may gain a bit of honest age and look less like it was just made in my basement. I had to make stencils for all the lettering but it was a fun project.

Hi Hopalong

You gotta take into account that those boxes were NEW at some point in the sport's history.  I wouldn't get too carried away with weathering.  O.K., I didn't take the 1861 to 1880 hardtack into consideration, BUT the boxes probably weren't outside were they? 

Don't reenact 1 year old hardtack, Yucky, trust me on that.  We left some for a month in a boy scout tin popcorn container and even stale is hard to eat.  Weevily would have to be worse.

Just a thought.

Mike
Wichita KS
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 09:50:35 AM
I prefer a somewhat weathered look. I store all of my benches and other wooden items for my other reenacting outside next to my house. Most of them have been outside fo ryears. I think this will only be out a few months.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: 1961MJS on January 13, 2012, 09:57:25 AM
I prefer a somewhat weathered look. I store all of my benches and other wooden items for my other reenacting outside next to my house. Most of them have been outside fo ryears. I think this will only be out a few months.

Hi

I would think that "somewhat weathered" would be more historically correct.  (NOTE use of the word think).  I think most quartermaster types would prefer to store food items indoors over the long term.  I also think that after storage, the boxes would be outside more often. 

Just my thinkin' again.  I don't have access to a nearby cowboy museum right now.  I did go to one in Independence (I think) Missouri a couple of years ago.

Mike
Wichita KS
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 10:37:53 AM
I think boxes that look a bit weathered would be less glaring. Especially if they are civil war style.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: 1961MJS on January 13, 2012, 02:53:00 PM
I think boxes that look a bit weathered would be less glaring. Especially if they are civil war style.

Hi

I think I FINALLY worked out what I was trying to say.   ::)

Remember that the hardtack boxes you see in an antique store are 100 +years old, which they weren't when they were used.  Some people doing Civil War, Indian war etc, tend to over due the whole old thing.  I'm thinking primarily of the finish on some firearms.  I.E. an 1873 Single Action Army was NEW IN BOX in 1874... 

I'll give up now   ;D
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: St. George on January 13, 2012, 03:37:08 PM
Once issued out of the Quartermaster's warehouses, foodstuffs and anything 'boxed' was shipped via covered transport or rail - usually to a siding.

If covered after that, it was covered by tarps or perhaps tents, and issued to requesting unit supply officers.

If that's followed - then outdoor storage under cover will weather the wood and new stencilling enough to look 'right' in a re-enactment setting, since rain will likely hit it, as will sunshine - dulling the formerly bright surfaces.

Ammunition boxes were generally painted - hardtack boxes weren't.

The hardtack box was ubiquitous, and useful, besides, and they 'still' show up.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!



Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 06:35:18 PM
1961MJS, I completely understand what you are trying to say and I agree. I'm not trying to make mine look 150 years old. I want mine to look like they were made a couple of years go
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 07:12:01 PM
I am going for the look of the tomato box rather than the one on the right...
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: FTrooper on January 13, 2012, 07:58:21 PM
There used to be quite a few companies that made period boxes back in the day, but most seem to have disappeared.  The saddest was the guy who had the most correct and best selection of crates.  Sadly he live in New Orleans and Katrina destroyed all his patterns and research.  He is still around on ebay as boxmaker I think, but his selection is VERY limited to civil war period stuff.  He even had some Spanish America War stuff.

Alot of the boxes out there are based on crated found on the steamship wreak of the Bertrand which sank in the late 1880's.  You can see many of these crates at Fort Laramie in the Post Traders Store.  Laramie is pretty much the main NPS research ares for Indian War era.  They have a couple original crated (or at least planks with shipping info) and when I was there a few years ago they had just gotten in an 1870's flour barrel with most of its blue paint and shipping markings intact (it had been in a barn a few miles away since the 1870's!!!).

Another neat item I saw at a Civil War event looked like three .58 ammo crates stacked one on top of the other. In reality it was ONE crated he built to store and carry larger objects.  It really did look like three crates with lids till he picked the whole assembly up at once!  LOL!

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Delmonico on January 13, 2012, 08:32:03 PM


Alot of the boxes out there are based on crated found on the steamship wreak of the Bertrand which sank in the late 1880's. 





The Bertrand sunk on April 1, 1865, north of Omaha Nebraska.  Also the Arabia near Kansas City sank on September 5, 1856, both have been excavated.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: JimBob on January 13, 2012, 08:51:11 PM
A seller on e-bay I check sometimes,walterbudd-militarygoods-has a trapdoor rifle crate with several pictures and a description of it with some dimensions if your looking for a bigger box.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Pitspitr on January 13, 2012, 08:54:57 PM
  You can see many of these crates at Fort Laramie in the Post Traders Store.  Laramie is pretty much the main NPS research ares for Indian War era.  They have a couple original crated (or at least planks with shipping info) and when I was there a few years ago they had just gotten in an 1870's flour barrel with most of its blue paint and shipping markings intact (it had been in a barn a few miles away since the 1870's!!!).

They also have an original foot locker built at Fort Hartsuff.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 09:11:32 PM
A seller on e-bay I check sometimes,walterbudd-militarygoods-has a trapdoor rifle crate with several pictures and a description of it with some dimensions if your looking for a bigger box.

I loved the bayonet scabbard crate they had.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 13, 2012, 10:29:09 PM
My copy of an the 1878 ordinance memoranda specified the color (olive for rifle rounds) and the size of an ammo crate for 45/70 rifle rounds and this site (http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/10_field_equip/10_item_025.htm) showed me the markings I started making an ammo crate today. When the glue dries I will begin painting and cutting the stencils.

The ordinance regs call for blue  paint on the carbine crate. What shade of blue do you all think was used?
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: River City John on January 13, 2012, 11:22:35 PM
http://www.charliesboatworks.com/

This is the manufacturer I ordered some ammo boxes for prize giveaways at GAF events.


Bent's Cracker Co., an original government supplier of hardtack, is still in business and offers a hardtack box you can fill with their hardtack.
http://www.bentscookiefactory.com/store.html

RCJ
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Pitspitr on January 14, 2012, 06:09:21 AM
The ordinance regs call for blue  paint on the carbine crate. What shade of blue do you all think was used?
When I was building my footlocker I knew the one I was copying was at Ft. Laramie. I called them and they mailed me a paint chip with the correct color circled. If they have one of the crates you're recreating maybe they'd do the same thing for you. Just suggest that if you're going to do that call them right now when they are less busy than in the summer with grass to mow and visitors to help.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: FTrooper on January 14, 2012, 02:34:39 PM
Delmonico,

You are correct.  I meant to say 1860's (my typo) as I couldn't remember if it was 1866 or '68.  Thanks for catching that.

Chris Fischer
F-Troop
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Delmonico on January 14, 2012, 04:21:47 PM
Delmonico,

You are correct.  I meant to say 1860's (my typo) as I couldn't remember if it was 1866 or '68.  Thanks for catching that.

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

Easy to do, I just wanted it right for the record, to be truthful I thought the Bertand was 1857.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 15, 2012, 04:07:16 PM
Here are pics of the two crates I have completed so far.

(http://talbotsfineaccessories.com/cowboy/P1011954.JPG)

Hi res version:
http://talbotsfineaccessories.com/cowboy/P1011954.JPG
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Niederlander on January 15, 2012, 04:10:20 PM
They look great!  Good work!
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 15, 2012, 04:11:55 PM
Hand cutting the stencils is the time consuming bit. Now that I have these stencils I will make some more boxes.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Short Knife Johnson on January 16, 2012, 10:44:01 AM
I have some pictures of an original .577/450 Martini Henry ammo crate.  When I get a chance, I will have to post them here.  It's one of those things I should have bought on sight, but hesitated just a moment too long.  Emailed the guy for dimensions, he said he would get them before it shipped, but never came through.

Oh well.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 16, 2012, 11:49:31 AM
I would love to see those pics. I have several martinis and would love to have an ammo crate.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Short Knife Johnson on January 17, 2012, 11:08:40 PM
My apologies.  It's a Snider ammo crate.  However, a friend of mine is the site manager at Fort Battleford and has some reproduction MH crates.  I will have to try to remember to get some pictures and measurements (or just the source would be good) and get them to you.

Here are the crate pictures anyhow.

(http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac33/winchester1876/Snider-ammo-box.jpg)

(http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac33/winchester1876/Snider-ammo-box-1.jpg)

(http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac33/winchester1876/Snider-ammo-box-2.jpg)
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on January 18, 2012, 11:07:24 AM
That is a sweet looking crate. I have a snider as well as several martinis so I may need to make one of those boxes too someday.

I started a couple more ammo crates last night.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: SGT John Chapman on February 26, 2012, 05:59:35 PM
Why would you build them weathered?,.....at the time being re enacted they were new,.....maybe dusty but new....
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: SGT John Chapman on February 26, 2012, 06:13:49 PM
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,19260.0.html

Here's my stuff on this thread link above,.....
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on February 26, 2012, 07:43:33 PM
Why would you build them weathered?,.....at the time being re enacted they were new,.....maybe dusty but new....

I want one of the boxes to look like it has been around for a while. The rest of the boxes are made to look new.

The one that has sat out this winter has a more slightly mellowed coloring and the cut edges are less glaring.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: G.W. Strong on February 26, 2012, 07:49:55 PM
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,19260.0.html

Here's my stuff on this thread link above,.....

Your work is breathtaking.

If you are willing to engage in some shop talk I am all ears!

I particularly like what you have done with the pasteboard boxes. I have been makinng some mock ups but i have not finished any to my satisfaction. If you would case to share your wisdom in this matter I would be glad to soak it up.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: SGT John Chapman on February 26, 2012, 08:53:47 PM
I'm still not happy with most of them,.....they are a constant work in progress when I have time,.....I'm feeling the urge to create again,....been a long dry spell,....
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Forty Rod on September 04, 2017, 10:23:57 AM
I googled "wooden ammo box reproductions" and got hundreds of pictures.  You'll have to sort through them to see which look best... and some are terribly inaccurate.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Forty Rod on September 04, 2017, 10:52:18 AM
It runs in my mind that someone here, or on the SASS Wire, was making some well-researched crates.  This was a few years back and I recall the only issue I had with his crates was the paint jobs.  Way too perfect and brilliant.  Military crates were not nearly as well painted.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Major 2 on September 04, 2017, 11:08:49 AM
Sargent  Chapman ?
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: Forty Rod on September 04, 2017, 02:47:23 PM
Could have benn.  My memorizer thingy doesn't work very well anymorre

I think it went south about the same time my typing skill did.
Title: Re: late 19th century US military ammo boxes and crates
Post by: SGT John Chapman on September 04, 2017, 09:34:29 PM
Probably was me....

(https://i.imgur.com/0HGVlMb.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/CrRAYIu.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/9Vw7Xxy.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/NpxSniK.jpg)