2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company D
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Company D
  • Military Life
    • Uniforms and Gear
    • Drill and Tactics
  • Research Library
  • Civilian
  • Armory

​Next Event:

Goldendale Tactical August 24-25. Goldendale, WA.

How to Make Sharps Cartridge Boxes!

8/31/2017

5 Comments

 
The always elusive Sharps arsenal pack is no longer a mystery.  Capt. Whitehall and I have been researching these for some time now.  After re-reading Bill Skillman's detailed article on making these, I thought I'd put the Company D spin on it.  Armed with my cartridge tin, I hit the craft stores.  Pasteboard boxes are commonly discussed and the Skipper had been talking about using jewelry boxes recently.  I quickly gave up on the bulkiness of pasteboard boxes that never quite fit and hit the jewelry section of Michael's.  In just a few minutes, I found a four pack of jewelry boxes that fit my tin perfectly.  The boxes were also paper-wrapped much like the originals and cost only $3.99.  If you pull up your 40% off Michael's coupon on your phone, they're even cheaper!   Here's what you'll need:
  • A brown paper grocery bag/lunch bag for your hinge.
  • Sharp Xacto knife
  • White glue 
  • Sharps cartridge box label
  • Ruler
  • That's it!
Here's how to do it:
  1. Cut one long side off of the lid.  Removing the bulk off the back of lid helps the box slide in and out of the tin much easier.  Cut carefully and don't try to cut all the way through at once.  Multiple passes make for a cleaner cut.  Then put the lid back on and check the fit.  You want the lid to fit flush against the back.
  2. Using a large Popsicle stick, like I do, or using a ruler, cut a roughly 3/4" strip off of your grocery bag.  If you're making several, cut a long piece.
  3. Butt one end of your strip up against the inside of the back of the lid and using your Xacto knife cut the hinge to length on the inside of the other side of the lid.  You're going for an inside diameter fit.
  4. Fold your hinge length-wise taking care to make a very crisp fold.
  5. Using white glue (or glue stick, or other gluing method) use just enough to evenly coat the inside of the hinge.  Spread evenly with your finger.  You don't want any puddles or squeeze out.
  6. Put your lid on the your box and apply the hinge.  Aligning it carefully, smooth the hinge to remove any air bubbles that may have snuck in.
  7. Let dry.
  8. Apply Sharps cartridge label and enjoy!
Using this method, you can manufacture your box any way you like.  You can add an additional strip with a string glued inside so you can open the box like it was brand new.  This auction site link: HERE shows how the arsenal packs were wrapped.  There is variety in construction.  Some are stamped with the label, some have pasted labels, some are white boxes, and some wrapped caps in light-weight brown paper. Remember, Sharpshooters used these boxes a lot and there are many accounts from Sharpshooters using these in combat.  In less than 10 minutes, you can really improve your impression and make your life a lot easier while shooting prone or from cover.


5 Comments
    Picture
    Picture
    Contact us!
    Captain Ethan Whitehall: [email protected]

    Vendors:
    NJ Sekela
    Wambaugh & White
    Regimental Quartermaster
    Townsends

    Dell's Leather Works

    Gun Parts:
    VTI gun parts
    Taylor Arms
    Flintlocks, etc.


    Firearms Dealers:
    Gun Broker
    Dixie Gun Works

    Other Links:
    Washington Civil War Association
    Happy Friends of Civil War Farb
    Company C Berdan Sharpshooters
    Historically Speaking

    New Recruits:
    WCWA Safety Test

    Other Resources:
    Reenactment Checklist
    Company D Standing Orders
    Company D Drill Guide
    Berdan Brochure
    Officer Responsibilities

    Archives

    June 2024
    September 2023
    July 2023
    August 2022
    June 2022
    August 2021
    May 2021
    May 2020
    April 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    July 2013

    Picture
    Special thanks to the archivists at the Maine State Archives for all their research help.



    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly