Cartridge Case
Description
Mid-brown glossy object. Cylindrical shaped. Open at one end. Closed at the other. Two round holes – one on side close to base the other at junction of base and side. Object has a wooden ring approximately 22mm wide around the outside approx. 115mm from top. The ring has a vertical hole through on one side but a 12mm section missing 180° away. Natural wood markings present on all surfaces. Outer surfaces (except base) smooth, inside surfaces rough and natural.
A lightweight cylindrical wooden case made of lathe-turned poplar fitted with an elm lid. Poplar is an absorbent wood and ideal for keeping powder dry. It was used to store and carry one of many powder cartridges on board to protect it from inadvertent explosions before or during battles. Cartridge cases were sometimes known as ‘cartridge boxes’ or ‘Salt boxes’, the latter presumably an abbreviation for the saltpeter (potassium nitrate) used to make gun powder. Once aboard ship the gunpowder was made into cartridges for the great guns. Packed into cartridges made from paper, these cartridge cases were stored in the hanging magazine on board the vessel.
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Object Detail
Diameter: 225mm (8 7/8")
Diameter: 215mm (8 7/16")