This is an authentic excavated original Civil War boxplate from a soldier's cartridge box. This is the plate that went on the outer flap not only for decoration but to help keep the flap closed. It has the "US" letters on the front with a deep brown patina all over. What makes this one interesting, is that on the lower portion of the "U" on the front of the plate, you can see the triangular indentation where it was struck by a bayonet. It pushed through to push the brass of the face of the plate. The blade of an early wide style bayonet fits into the space. You can imagine the cartridge box being on the side of the soldier and the Confederate striking his bayonet at the target. Both of the loops are missing from the back and it has some of the original lead. What a neat piece!