Confederate cartridge box of pre-war manufacture used by W. R. Cline of the 7th Virginia Cavalry. The cartridge box measures approximately 8.75 x 4.5 x 1.75 and is constructed using a heavy dark brown leather with a wide single belt loop on the reverse. The large outer flap has a latch tab which closes over a small flat brass finial on the bottom of the box, and opens to reveal another flap over the main compartment and a thin tool pouch on the front. In the main compartment is a form-fitted wooden block designed to hold eight cartridges of up to .69 caliber. Includes a .577 caliber paper cartridge, embossed on the side "Eley Bros. London," with its original boxwood base plug. Some cracking and flaking to leather, and a small tear to the closure tab, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by Cline’s 1910 application to join the Confederate Veterans Magruder Post No. 36 in Newport News, Virginia, as well as his yellow worsted wool cavalry hat cord. From the collection of Donald R. Tharpe.
