Ad said "Spanish-American War Period" and I said to myself - BS; then I looked closer. Standard Frazier box from .50-70 days, but with an insert for 18 .45-70 rounds! Wonder if this ties in with the strange 18-round cartridge packets, which have always seemed to defy explanation? Smokeless, so, right era.
Curious box of ammo, and I have asked a bunch of experts for their opinion. Will advise what they report.
The Frazier boxes seem to have been unique to New York state users, so this altered box would seem to fit in the time that NY abandoned the .50-70 rolling blocks and switched to trapdoors. I don't have any date references handy, but IIRC that was somewhat late, circa 1890 or so.
I also have a Frazier box with the 18 hole insert. I put 18 50/70 rounds in it figuring that that's how many rounds it held
Some drop right in but others are a little tight.
So I guess my Frazier box is ment to hold 45/70?
I assumed (probably assisted by a desire to make sense of my packet) that the holes were for .45-70, just by eyeball. Now, I'll have to dig out my boxes and see! The difference in diameter is not THAT great, maybe they could be used with either? I have a rare King's patent 'folding' leather box from one of the trials, but have not seen it in years - gotta find it for 'show and tell.
Wonder how scarce those 18-rd. packets are? I 've never seen another. Should ask Guy, I guess . . .
Dick Hosmer wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2024 4:35 pm
I assumed (probably assisted by a desire to make sense of my packet) that the holes were for .45-70, just by eyeball. Now, I'll have to dig out my boxes and see! The difference in diameter is not THAT great, maybe they could be used with either? I have a rare King's patent 'folding' leather box from one of the trials, but have not seen it in years - gotta find it for 'show and tell.
Wonder how scarce those 18-rd. packets are? I 've never seen another. Should ask Guy, I guess . . .
I believe, and this is just my conclusion, after removing the 50/70 rounds from my Frazier box.
The holes in the wood block are only deep enough for 50/70 rounds. I placed 45/70 rounds, both 405 gr. and 500 gr. In the block. They are quite sloppy and the lid will not close with either round.
Just my opinion and conclusion that the 20 hole blocks are for 45/70 and the 18 hole blocks are for 50/70. Other conclusions may vary
