American Federal Period Tack-Decorated 18-Hole Cartridge Box

This is a very folky, tack-decorated American cartridge box. The flap has a large eye-
shaped oval of brass tacks containing what seems to be a flowing script monogram.
Several tacks are missing, though one can see the holes and map out the design.
Even with our extravagant imagination, however, it is hard to figure out the letters,
though the first may well be an “M.” The side panels likewise have tacks, though
these simply outline the panels along with tacks in the middle at top and bottom.
The box still has the cross strap on the reverse to retain the ends of a shoulder belt,
though the stitching is out from the right edge and the left shows a break. One sling
buckle is left on the bottom of the box, with a fragment of the sling in it. The other is
missing, though the torn chape that held it is there. The latch tab and finial are
missing.

The block is bored for 18 rounds of .69 caliber ammunition. This is below the
required 24 rounds of the 1792 militia act, but there is a tinned iron tray in place
underneath the block that could hold flints and maybe another 6 rounds to enable a
militia man to escape a fine for deficiency when mustered for inspection.
The leather is generally brown in tone, with overall crackling and some rubs. The
vertical stitching along the right edge on the rear has given out for about 1 ¼ inches
below the horizontal seam joining the flap and the body of the box (at the same
point the right end of the horizontal shoulder belt retaining strap is loose.) Until the
box is treated in some fashion, opening the flap too far risks separating the seam
more, but it presents very well as is.
The brass tack decoration is very reminiscent of the designs executed on leather
trunks of the period, likely dates it to about 1810-1815 or so, and makes it a great
display piece.