~ American Civil War Union Cartridge Box Plate ~
This is a brass & lead filled box plate from the American Civil War. The box plate would have been found on a leather 1857 pattern or 1861 pattern cartridge box.
The belt buckle was excavated from Fredericksburg, Virginia and is likely from the Battle of Fredericksburg, which was fought on December 11–15, 1862.
On the reverse is an old label reading “FREDERICKBURG, VIRGINIA BATTLEFIELD.”
~ Dimensions ~
The plate is 3.4 inches (8.7cm) wide, 2.2 inches (5.6cm) tall and 0.6 inches (1.5cm) deep.
The box plate weighs 100 grams.
~ Condition ~
One of the hoops on the reverse is mostly absent and the remaining hoop has rusted. There are a couple of small dents to the edge on the upper left.
The brass has a healthy, dark brown patina.
The obverse has some minor surface scratches.
