Cartridge Box Made for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony

Unknown

ca. 1590–1600 · Silver, wood, velvet · Arms and Armor

The box originally held four paper cartridges, each with a premeasured powder charge and a bullet. To load the gun, the paper was torn open and the powder poured down the barrel, followed by the bullet, which was rammed down the barrel with the paper wrapped around it as wadding to ensure a tight fit.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1590–1600

Medium

Silver, wood, velvet

Culture

German, Saxony

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, 1929