1861 Pattern .69 Caliber J.B. Thaxter - Portland Maine Cartridge Box and Cap Box Combo
The Pattern 1861 J. B. Thaxter .69 caliber Rifled Musket Cartridge Boxes was a wartime contract box with riveted waist belt loops but were also designed to be used with a Cartridge Box Shoulder Belt. Each Cartridge Box had a tool pouch on the front to hold a cleaning kit and removable tins to hold and protect the black powder and paper cartridges used in the rifled muskets.
The Cap Box is the New York Arsenal style with the closing tab not sewn on but made as a continuation of the leather flap that fastened over a brass finial to keep the Cap Box closed. The Cap Box was lined with lambs wool to help keep the percussion caps inside. Each box also had a standard issue piece of spring steel inside which can be used for removing debris stuck inside the percussion nipple.