Every Confederate soldier that carried a gun had to have a waterproof percussion 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.

All Confederate cap boxes are highly desirable, (in good condition) and the marked cap boxes are the crème de la crème of cap boxes. There are the rare CS marked boxes and the Crown, Wm. Brands, Augusta Arsenal, Baton Rouge, Selma Arsenal, S.T. Fonda, Magee & George, McKensie, G.N Wyman, Wellborn, Nichols & Oliver marked boxes. All are very rare, but this is the only example of the Virginia State Seal percussion cap box known to exist.

The box is in very good condition, and the Virginia Seal is in great condition. Like the early Baton Rouge and Augusta boxes, it uses two straps and a brass finial. The box retains its "ears” and wool liner. The closure latch tab is perfect and strong, and both belt loops remain, but one belt loop was broken at the lower end, so I have reattached it to keep it from getting broken at the top. All of the stitching remains tight and the box remains soft, flexible and easy to open.