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Indian Wars-era Type 2 McKeever cartridge box for .45/70 government cartridges from circa 1874-1883, 6.5˝ x 3.5˝ x 1.5˝, composed of black leather with undyed bellow, varnished canvas loops, and a tab closure, the base of which is marked "WATERVLIET ARSENAL.” The front bears a brass “NJ [New Jersey]” state militia plate, and the left side is stamped “C 9th 44,” likely for Company C, 9th Regiment, Hoboken. In very good condition, with some finish loss, minor leather loss to the front of the tab, and blown stitching on one of the belt loops.
The McKeever cartridge box derives its name from its designer, First Lieutenant Samuel McKeever of the US Second Infantry Regiment. Designed in 1874, it was utilized by the US Army in various calibers and styles until 1910. Made of leather, it held 20 rounds of .45-70 caliber government cartridges in two rows, designed with a webbing bellows that allowed each row to tilt forward slightly when opened for easy extraction. Later versions had a bulge on the side to accommodate a small tool for taking down the Springfield rifle.
