Every Confederate soldier that carried a gun had to have a waterproof cap box to store and protect a supply of percussion caps. A firearm without a cap was useless. All over the South, contractors sought to fill this need. Unlike their Union counterparts, which were virtually identical, Confederate cap boxes came in assorted sizes and materials.

The most common Confederate cap pouch is easily distinguishable from its Yankee counterpart by its single wide, leather belt loop and a lead closing finial. The Federal box uses two riveted belt loops and a brass closure finial. The outer flap held the box closed and shed water. The inner flap has leather tabs sewn onto each end so that when closed, the box seals tight enough to keep out flying sparks or water.

The russet percussion cap box shown here is a Confederate manufactured and issued box. Notice the utilization of lead as a closing finial and that the box’s two loops are sewn instead of riveted, and that the closure tab is integral with the one piece front and back. The leather remains extremely supple and retains a very nice russet surface. The stitching is all tight and original. The lead finial is secure and the washer remains in place on the interior. The latch tab is very flexible and is able to be slipped on and off of the lead closure finial; though I would refrain from doing this more than necessary to prevent a failure. The leather end tabs remain, and are in very good condition.

Confederate cap boxes used to be relatively easy to find, but over the last couple of years they have all but disappeared from the marketplace. This is a very nice example of a Confederate cap box.