An authentic vintage Hercules blasting caps box marked "No. 6" and originally used for storing 100 blasting caps produced by the historic Hercules Powder Company of Wilmington, Delaware. This classic mining and explosives-related artifact represents an important era of American mining, quarrying, railroad construction, and industrial expansion when controlled blasting technology played a critical role in developing the nation's infrastructure and mineral resources.
Hercules Powder Company became one of the most recognizable names in the American explosives industry during the late 19th and 20th centuries, supplying blasting materials used throughout mines, tunnels, construction projects, logging operations, and large-scale industrial work across the United States.
This original cardboard blasting caps box once held No. 6 blasting caps — small but powerful detonators used to ignite dynamite and other explosives in mining and excavation operations. Surviving examples are increasingly difficult to find due to their disposable nature and the hazardous environments in which they were originally used.
The box displays excellent period industrial graphics and historic character that make it highly desirable among collectors of:
- Mining memorabilia
- Explosives and blasting collectibles
- Western Americana
- Railroad and tunnel construction artifacts
- Industrial advertising
- Vintage packaging and ephemera
- Quarry and hard rock mining history
Marked
- Hercules
- No. 6
- 100 Count
- Wilmington, Delaware
Artifacts tied to historic explosives manufacturers remain highly collectible due to their strong connection to America's mining frontier and industrial growth.
Condition
Please review all photos carefully for overall condition, graphics, wear, edge loss, staining, fading, and historical character, as they are considered part of the description. Vintage cardboard explosives packaging commonly displays age-related wear consistent with storage and historic industrial use.
