Civil War era Original Packing Crate for twenty (20) Colt Special Model 1861 rifle-muskets, sold by Marcellus Hartley and Company, New York. Constructed of pine boards with square nails and round screws. Retains one of the wooden brackets to seat the barrel and ramrod for five of the guns; small cut out pocket at one side for rifle musket tools (issued with each weapon). Stencil reading "H.K. WHITE/C/O M. HARTLEY CO./NEW YORK," top of lid with possible additional inscription to opposite side of top, and partially illegible stencil reading "B/MOD 63/RIGHT" (possible date 1863) to one side. 14 3/4" H x 64" W x 18" D. Note: Marcellus Hartley (1827-1902) was an American arms dealer and merchant. He was appointed as an agent by the Union Army to purchase guns from Europe during the American Civil War. He later manufactured cartridges for breech-loading guns, owned the Remington Arms Company and diversified into other areas of commerce. (source: New York Times article, published Sunday, June 19, 1898). Note: these crates are extremely rare, as they were often broken up for firewood or used for soldier's coffins. Provenance: private Holly Springs, Mississippi collection, purchased from C. Frederick Mantin Military Goods in Memphis in 1976. Mantin acquired the crate from Turner Kirkland, Dixie Gun Works circa 1950s.

Age cracks, few areas of expected loss to wood. Removable partitions and rope handles are not present. Losses to one case upper edge corner.