The California Column
Cartridge Box
A. U. S. P1839 Round Ball box.
B. U. S. P1857 Round Ball box
C. U. S. P1861 Round Ball box.
Note: It is suggested that boxes should be unmarked. The majority of contract made
boxes were not marked. (with a
few exceptions such as H.A. Dingee).
Cartridge Box Belt
A. U. S. Cartridge Box Belt 2.25 inches wide, 64 inches long, made of blackened
white buff leather, with breast plate.
B. U. S. Cartridge Box Belt 2.25 inches wide, 64 inches long, made of black waxed flesh leather,
with breast plate.
C. U. S. Cartridge Box Belt 2.25 inches wide, 64 inches long, made of
black bridal leather, with breast plate.
Note: Box belts should be 55 inches long - clear of the billets - per U.S. regulations.
Cap Box
A: U. S.P1850 Cap Box, sewn, without rivets on the belt loop.
B: U. S. P1850 Cap Box, shield front variant, sewn, without rivets on the belt loop.
Note: Cap boxes should have the correct wool lining and should include a vent pick.
Waist Belt
A: U. S. P1839 Waist belt, 1.9 inches wide with a standing leather loop on the
end, made of blackened white buff leather
B: U .S. P1850 Waist belt, 1.9 inches wide with a
standing leather loop on the end, made of black wax flesh leather
C: U. S. P1850 waist belt
1.9 inches wide with a standing leather loop on the end, made of black bridal leather.
Waist belts should have an oval U. S. belt plate with either a "puppy paw" back, "wire back", or "wide set arrow" back.