U000257 UNION CARTRIDGE POUCH. A blackened leather pouch, within which is a wooden receptacle for twenty rounds of cartridges. The pouch is 7 1/2" wide, 3 1/4" tall, and approximately 2 1/4" deep, and features a fold-over flap extending from its back to cover its entire front. A vertical strap with a stud hole to it is sewn to the leading edge of this flap, which mates with a brass stud to the bottom of the pouch. Diagonally-angled, blackened metal, single-pronged buckles were originally sewn to either side of this brass stud, both of which have dislodged, but are included. A horizontal and two vertical belt loops are rivetted to the reverse, with impressions resembling asterisks to each side of the bases of the latter (these have no particular significance, having been produced by the tool which gripped the leather [Frederick P. Todd, "American Military Equipage 1851-1872," p.190]). Upon opening the fold-over flap, a secondary flap may be seen to the interior, which was to protect the pouch contents from moisture, and which has short, rounded extensions sewn to either of its sides. To its leading edge is impressed, "E. Gaylord," "Chicopee," and, "Mass." An "implement" pocket is beneath this flap to the forward face of the pouch, to either side of which are impressed asterisks not unlike those previously found on the reverse. This pocket also has a flap, to which is sewn a vertical strap which slides through a horizontal loop sewn to the pocket front. The wooden insert within is 7" wide and 1 1/2" deep, with an approximate height of 2 1/4". Twenty holes have been bored into it, in two rows of ten, each of which have an internal diameter of 9/16" and are approximately 1 1/2" deep. The internal diameter would facilitate .54 caliber cartridges, as was used with the "Burnside" breech-loading rifle, although this pouch could have been used with several types of carbine ammunition. The pouch’s dislodged buckles have lost most of their blackening and are moderately surface spotted, and the copper rivets on its belt loops have age darkened. The blackening to the leather exhibits chafe wear and cracking throughout, and has significantly worn to its fold-over flap and implement pocket. Although dry, the leather itself is still surprisingly supple in most places.

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