American Civil War Period Brass 'US' Cartridge Box Plate
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Glossary Roundup
Original Presentation Script
Here we have an American Civil War Period brass 'US' cartridge box plate, one of the iconic little survivals of Union military equipment. These oval plates were mounted to the front of cartridge boxes and served both a practical and symbolic role: sturdy hardware, yes, but also a bold statement of federal identity.
The form is right for the Civil War era—an oval brass face with raised letters, backed by iron and fitted with attachment hooks. That construction matters. Genuine mid-19th century examples were typically die-struck and assembled in parts, not cast in one crude modern piece. The reverse here shows oxidation, rusting, and age-consistent surface crust, all of which are better signs than a shiny souvenir-shop back.
Condition is honest rather than pretty. The brass face shows wear and tarnish; the reverse has corrosion and some roughness around the center. For militaria collectors, that kind of surface history is often reassuring, provided it has not been artificially distressed.
Now the fakery check: Civil War plates are reproduced endlessly. Some are quite persuasive. So while this example looks more promising than most replicas, I would still want measurements, edge examination, and perhaps blacklight or magnified inspection before calling it unquestionably wartime.
My identification confidence is high at 95%, because the object type is clear. Authenticity, however, lands at a more cautious 62%. Conservative auction estimate: $75 to $175 if authentic, and about $10 to $35 if a reproduction. A small badge, perhaps—but in Americana, small things often carry the biggest stories.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
American Civil War Period Brass 'US' Cartridge Box Plate
By:Unknown military contractor
Style:Civil War Period American militaria
Origin:United States
Materials:Stamped brass front, iron or tinned iron back, copper-alloy attachment hooks
Age:circa 1861-1865
Condition:Good (visible age wear, oxidation and back corrosion; not officially authenticated)
Value:Auction estimate if authentic: $75-$175; if later reproduction: $10-$35
Maker's Marks / Writing:Raised 'US' on front; no maker's mark visible in provided photos
Date:2026-03-28 14:58:08.539747
Description:
An oval stamped brass Union Army cartridge box plate with raised 'US' monogram on the front and an iron-backed reverse fitted with attachment hooks. This is the standard form associated with mid-19th century American military accoutrements, worn on enlisted men's cartridge boxes.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This appears to be a U.S. cartridge box plate of Civil War type, with the correct general oval format, raised letters, and separate iron-backed construction. The reverse shows age, oxidation, and period-style fastening hardware rather than modern cast integral loops. That said, Civil War belt and box plates are heavily reproduced, and without seeing the edge profile, dimensions, weight, and a cleaner close study of the reverse attachment method, caution is warranted. The piece has enough honest-looking wear and corrosion to suggest age, but I would stop short of guaranteeing wartime originality from photos alone. A word about copies.. Civil War buckles and box plates are among the most frequently reproduced categories in American militaria, and even convincing examples must be judged very strictly.
Individual Images:
front cartridge box plate
reverse of cartridge box plate
reverse vertical view
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided
Condition:
Good (visible age wear, oxidation and back corrosion; not officially authenticated)
Identification Score: 95%
The form, raised 'US' device, and iron-backed oval construction closely match a Union cartridge box plate rather than a waist belt plate or later decorative badge.
Authenticity Score: 62%
The hardware and oxidized back are more encouraging than many modern replicas, and the wear looks plausibly old rather than freshly distressed. However, this field is rife with reproductions, and the photos do not fully document edge seams, tool marks, or dimensional details needed to push the score higher.
Image Memory Note
None
None
Keywords
American Civil War, Union Army, cartridge box plate, brass US plate, militaria, oval plate, United States, period military accoutrement
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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