CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY LEATHER PASS BOX

Description

DA003Z, Used for the passing of raw black powder up from a ships powder magazine below decks, to the powder monkey on the gun deck, who carries it over to the gunner, who opens it manually and removes the bags of powder and pushes them into the muzzle of the retracted gun, which are then rammed down the bore before the projectile gets rammed down on top of them. This specimen is for an 11" gun on Union, or Confederate ships. Stamped with British markings on lid are regimental, indicating surplus equipment's. A 31 over and I indicates gun and gun crew numbers. RCD over a broad arrow indicates British gov't ownership (British Cannon Dept.?) On the lid interior, stenciled in ink is 11/02 indicating caliber as 11" gun and number of bags of powder authorized in this pass box, being 2 of 6 pounds each. Very clean white canvas interior prevents static discharges. It's made of brown lather with contact surface areas lined with cork and covered in sewn leather. Handles and straps are mostly intact, need some restoration. Considerable flaking occurs here and there as testament to it's age and service, has brass fittings and rivets as well. Measures 26" long x 9" diameter. EXTREMELY RARE OFFERING today. Ship weight 6 pounds, all original.