Encyclopedia · Carriages, vehicles, and implements

Ammunition chest

The ammunition chest was the wooden, iron-bound box carried on the limber and caisson that held a gun's ready rounds, cartridges, fuzes, and primers.

Also known as: ammunition chest.

TypeAmmunition storage box
Carried onLimber and caisson
ContentsRounds, cartridges, fuzes, and primers
ConstructionWood bound with iron, with a hinged lid

Ready ammunition

The ammunition chest was the iron-bound wooden box, with a strong hinged lid, that held a gun's ready ammunition. One rode on the limber and two on the caisson, each partitioned to carry rounds, cartridges, fuzes, and friction primers in order.

The chests kept the ammunition protected and organized, and the number of chests with a gun and its caisson set the quantity of ready rounds a piece carried into action.

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