{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-leather-federal-percussion-cap-box-pouch-with-inspector-newark-nj-stamps","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Leather Federal Percussion Cap Box Pouch with Inspector \u0026 Newark, NJ Stamps","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very strong and complete example of a Federal leather percussion cap box of the type carried on the waist belt by U.S. infantrymen during the Civil War. Constructed of black leather with sewn seams, its original outer and inner flaps, both protective side “ears,” closure tab and two rear belt loops remain intact. Particularly desirable are the surviving Federal Ordnance Department inspector's cartouche on the outer flap and a partially legible \u003cb\u003eNEWARK \/ N.J.\u003c\/b\u003e maker's marking on the interior flap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe percussion cap box was an essential part of the equipment carried by a Civil War infantryman armed with a percussion rifle musket. The small copper percussion caps needed to prime the weapon were carried separately from the paper cartridges and kept readily accessible on the soldier's waist belt. To fire, a cap was placed over the cone or nipple of the lock. When struck by the hammer, its percussion sensitive compound ignited, sending flame through the vent to ignite the main powder charge. The National Park Service includes the cap box among the typical equipment carried on the belt by Civil War infantrymen, alongside the cartridge box, bayonet and other field accoutrements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is constructed of black leather and remains in very strong condition. The body uses stitched seam construction without rivets, and the surviving stitching remains tight and strong. The black leather outer flap is still supple and shows only minor surface cracking at the hinge area and across the face. Its integral leather closure tab also remains strong and supple, with some flaking around the finial hole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePercussion ignition represented a major improvement over the older flintlock system and was firmly established in U.S. military shoulder arms by the Civil War. Instead of sparks from a flint striking a steel frizzen and igniting loose priming powder in an exposed pan, the percussion system used a small cap containing a shock sensitive priming compound. This system was simpler to operate and substantially less vulnerable to adverse weather, making the cap box an indispensable companion to the percussion rifle muskets that armed enormous numbers of Federal soldiers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its supple black leather, strong original stitching, complete inner flap and side ears, intact closure tab, both rear belt loops, visible \u003cb\u003eU.S. ORD. DEPT.\u003c\/b\u003e inspection stamp and surviving\u003cb\u003e NEWARK \/ N.J. \u003c\/b\u003econtractor marking, this is a particularly appealing example of a Federal soldier's personal field equipment. Its combination of condition, completeness and identifiable government inspection and manufacturing marks makes it especially suitable for a collection of Civil War infantry accoutrements, Federal leather equipment, U.S. martial arms accessories, or a display centered around the rifle musket and equipment carried by the Union infantryman.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45569839169605,"sku":"ONJR26JYHG022","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26JYHG022__01.jpg?v=1786990233","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-leather-federal-percussion-cap-box-pouch-with-inspector-newark-nj-stamps","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}