Pennsylvania Cartridge Box Plate, Steve Mullinax Collection / SOLD

Description

Pennsylvania Cartridge Box Plate, Steve Mullinax Collection

This is a rare Pennsylvania oval cartridge box plate from the Pennsylvania Reserve Brigade. This plate depicts the state seal of Pennsylvania, two horses over a coat of arms with symbolism of agriculture and commerce, and “RB” for Philadelphia Reserve Brigade. This brigade served with the 119th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. This was an elite unit from Philadelphia and served on the battlefield as well as home guard duties.

This plate is believed to have been manufactured during the war and was probably contracted with a local Philadelphia maker who produced limited quantities. This plate is oval following the Federal Regulation of 1839 and was used as ornamentation on the flap of cartridge boxes. Face is stamped out of thin sheet brass, lead filled and configured with iron loops as a box plate. Reference O’Donnell & Campbell’s book, plate 588. this example was from the famed Steve Mullinax collection and was gifted by him to a friend as the provenance states.  A great example of a rare plate.

Inventory Number: BEL 631