Mann’s Patent Cap Box / SOLD

Mann’s Patent Cap Box - Inventory Number: LEA 381 / SOLD

Circa 1864 example which was part of the contract issued with the Mann’s cartridge box.  The cap box features a unique design where the “ears” or protective flaps are mounted to the primary flap and it was not constructed with a secondary flap.  The mounting of these “ears’ are evident by the stitching on the outer flap.  This example is marked O.S. Williams of Newark New Jersey on the reverse between the belt loops.  The face bears a sub. Insp. marking of C.R. Lyon.

William Mann, an officer in the 7th Michigan Cavalry, patented a system in late 1863 for both cavalry and infantry that distributed the weight more evenly and placed the burden mainly on the shoulders rather than the waist and groin. This is a very scarce example of the Mann’s patent waistbelt for infantry that was produced in 1864. Several Union regiments were issued Mann’s accoutrements for field trials but the system was never adopted and examples are rare.

Inventory Number: LEA 381 / SOLD