Item No. 9830051

A very rare Civil War era staff officer’s baldric and cartridge box, described as a “Gold and Silk Belt and Cartridge-box, for Staff Officers” on Plate no. 51 of Schuyler, Hartley, and Graham's Arms and Military Goods Regulations for the Uniform of the Army, Navy, Marine and Revenue Corps. This excellent example, the finest offered for sale in recent years, features decorative bullion over belt leather with adjustable brass buckle and ornamental brass lion and federal shield connected with pricket chains. The belt leather is soft and pliable. The small leather cartridge box is trimmed in heavy brass, framing an applied brass eagle on the flap. The leather closure tab is present, though torn on one side of the finial hole. Condition of the leather is very good, with only some scratches.

A similar example is found on page 241 of Don Troiani’s Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War, with the caption reading, in part, “a more useless accoutrement could not have existed. Notwithstanding, they were periodically worn in the field, and indeed, flamboyant Col. Thomas Francis Meagher of the Irish Brigade wore his during the battle of Antietam.”