What's in the box?

[Steven Broomfield]

I suspect this is not, strictly speaking, a military item. It belonged to an officer who served in the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) in the late 1890's and again in the GW (winning an MC). I have no idea what it's for, but I suspect it's connected to personal sporting habits as the (very distressed) label in the lid seems to indicate it was made by a company specialising in fishing and shooting goods.

The box is about 15" wide by a foot front to rear and six inches high. It is made of wood, with leather covering and metal on the corners. Inside is divided into compartments, but the divides are removable. The bottom is lined in felt, and each compartment had a leather strap and buckle: however as the lid is neither removable nor capable of being raised, I can't see what benefit the straps offer.

Any ideas welcome.

Inside

Another shot

And another

[IPT]

A cartridge magazine?

[daggers]

The maker may have survived, or more likely has been taken over by another supplier or maker of luxury sporting goods. Worth a Google?

D

[T8HANTS]

Looks like a bulk shotgun cartridge box - small war anyone?

[Khaki]

Hello Steven,

The first thing that came to me when I saw the images and read the description, was that it could be a box (adapted) or purpose built for the transportation of quality books such as Shakespeare etc. The lining to protect and the straps to prevent vibration/movement. Wild guess!!!

khaki

[T8HANTS]

There is another one here http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/antiquedetail.asp?autonumber=150593

[Doug504]

Reminds me of the box we have to store blackpowder in these days. I go along with a cartridge magazine.

Allan D.

[Philip Wilson]

Steven - VICTORIAN LEATHER CARTRIDGE CASE.

Property of Lt. Samual Pearson YATES, 11 Hussars born 30.8.70, 2^nd Lt. 17.12.92, Lt. 1.10.94 – see Army List 1897.

[Steven Broomfield]

Thanks all: cartridge box it is (for private sporting use, I'd say).

Khaki: too small for books, sadly, unless pocket editions, and I fear an officer of Hussars in late Victorian times would be more likely to shoot things than read about them.

Philip: thanks - had his dates, but not d.o.b. so that's helpful. He'd retired before the Boer War but rejoined in 1914, commanded a Squadron (A, to be precise) and won an MC (I think at Cambrai). Quite a chap!

[Philip Wilson]

Thanks all: cartridge box it is (for private sporting use, I'd say).

Khaki: too small for books, sadly, unless pocket editions, and I fear an officer of Hussars in late Victorian times would be more likely to shoot things than read about them.

Philip: thanks - had his dates, but not d.o.b. so that's helpful. He'd retired before the Boer War but rejoined in 1914, commanded a Squadron (A, to be precise) and won an MC (I think at Cambrai). Quite a chap!

MC. DSER. LG. 18.1.18 page 959 as Captain.

listed as Major Res of Officers page 1831 Services of Military Officers 1920. QSA 2 clasps, 1914 Star.

[Steven Broomfield]

Thanks. Appreciated.

[ralphjd]

LG issue 30651 23-4-1918. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in persisting in an advance in support of the infantry when ordered to (do) so, though information by the officer commanding that is was impossible to advance owing to hostile machine guns. By his action he materially relieved the situation of the infantry.