Cartfidge Boxes & Pinbacks

Our February temporary lobby exhibit comes to us from Frank Vacca, a Colby, Kansas collector of cartridge boxes, pinbacks, and other interesting items. Frank has collected many things over the years. He has sold some of his collections and started new ones as his interests and the market have changed.

Cartridge blocks and boxes were created as a means of keeping track of the number of shots individuals fired at a target during competitions. Shooting supply companies picked up on this idea as a way to advertise their business, usually on the lid of the box. Frank's collection includes a wide variety of styles of these boxes and also includes reproductions of catalogs from the supply companies. Some are simply blocks with holes drilled to hold the cartridges, while others are quite ornate. Boxes were drilled with different size holes to accommodate different cartridge calibers.

 (Click on the image to enlarge.)

A pinback or pin-back button is simply a button or badge that can be temporarily attached to a garment with a pin formed from wire. They have been associated with political campaigns since George Washington's inauguration in 1789. A variety of materials have been used for pinbacks including celluloid, metal, and plastic.

Frank collection of pinbacks represent firearm and ammunition companies who used them to promote their products. Pinbacks were produced in different sizes and shapes, but the 7/8" pinback was most common. Pins of 1-1/4" are usually modern reproductions with full metal backs.

Visit Prairie Museum of Art & History during February to see this great collection. As usual, there is no admission to visit the lobby exhibit. If you have items you would like to exhibit in this space please call Ray at 785-460-4590 or e-mail registrar@prairiemuseum.org