US Navy Cordite or Cartridge Bucket Dated 1904

This Fine Item Has Been Sold! Thank you!

U.S NAVY CORDITE or CARTRIDGE BUCKET!
DATED 1904
GUARANTEED THE REAL McCOY!

Presented is a rare leather
bucket from the Washington Navy Yard that was used to carry bagged propellant charges or cartridges and cordite. Cordite is
a round noodle or cord shaped, slow burning propellant that was used, in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, for firing
shells of all sizes. The bucket is made of cork, covered by leather on the outside and by canvas in the inside. All the
hardware is made of bronze which is a non-sparking metal making them flash proof. The charges were carried in these reusable
containers from the ship’s magazines or ammunition lockers to the guns.

There are numerous
examples of similar buckets with the British Royal shield added for appearance that are readily available from a few hundred
dollars to thousands. Most are clearly reproductions so be wary.

This is the only
example of a U.S. Navy cordite or cartridge bucket that we have seen. The exterior has the number 3 stenciled on its front and is stamped
Navy Yard Washington 1904 on three lines. There are no other marks.

Inside of bucket showing the bronze cover and cloth lining

Inside of bucket showing bronze cover, cloth lining and leather bottom

PROVENANCE: Purchased
in New England in the ordinary course of business at a maritime auction with no known provenance.

DIMENSIONS:

Diameter 8 1/2″
Height with handle 14″
Weight: 5 pounds 8 oz.

The
bottom is stamped Navy Yard Washington 1904 on three lines

SHOWN at the left is a typical, so called,
British Royal Navy Ammunition or Cordite bucket: In the US, these buckets sell in price from a few hundred
dollars to over $3000.00. Almost all have a Royal Service Armorial shield added to add to their sales appeal. And, very few
are the real thing. They are so ubiquitous, as to be boring.

Shown with the
sliding bronze cover open

CONDITION: The bucket only has
normal abrasions, scrapes and other minor marks of age mainly around its rim and on its handle. The bronze has a
natural greenish brown patina. There ar eno breaks in the stitching which is tight.

Shipping & Packaging

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If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.