War of 1812 Ammunition Chest

Description

Sponsors

This item is a part of the 1812 History digitization project. This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.

Media Type

Object

Description

This is an ammunition chest made of wood, canvas and iron, and measures 272.5 x 56.3 x 52.5 CM. It has a curved lid covered with canvas with iron strapping, and angled iron on the four corners with iron rings attached. There are four sections inside and it has two iron hasp fastenings on the front with half of a padlock fitting. Markings on the chest include “5”, “6 P R” and “US” over stamped Canada. This chest was used to carry ammunition by the US Regular Army.

It has been hypothesized that the chest was brought North by the British or captured by the British at Fort George in 1813. Another rumour suggests that the chest was captured by the British at the Battle of Stoney Creek.
Further research in 2010 suggests that the ammunition chest was featured in 1920's Home and Gardens Magazine in the Servos Homestead. It is also possible that the chest saw action at Queenston Heights, Lundy's Lane, Beaver Dams and Stoney Creek.

Courtesy of the Parks Canada collection

Date of Original

c. 1812

Subject(s)