The box measures 8.25″ x 7″ and is made of black leather with an embossed "US" in an oval on the front flap. The inside flap has excellent sharp markings of the maker, "R. NECE / PHILAD." and in an oval the inspector's stamping, "F.A. SNIFFEN / U.S. / ORD. DEPT / SUB INSPECTOR." The inside flap has a half-inch open seam at the semi-circular piece on the top right, all of the other sewn seams are tight. The original tins are present and the shoulder strap has a lead-filled stamped brass eagle plate in excellent condition. The flap and strap remain supple and show surface crazing with several small spots of surface loss on the flap, the box body is sound and shows only light wear. Although every Union infantryman had a cartridge box, nice examples are not common on today's market. RR Auction COA.
