FRENCH GRENADIER OFFICER'S CARTRIDGE POUCH AND BELT, 1720-1750.

Extremely rare cartridge pouch or "giberne" of a grenadier officer in the French infantry, 1720-1750. Made entirely of whitened buff leather, consisting of the central body or pouch (approximately 8 3/8 in. L x 5 in. H), with interior flap with scalloped edge and two slits, that correspond with two leather closure buttons on the pouch, all covered by a flap (approximately 7 in. H x 8 in. W) that bears a silver-embroidered flaming bomb or grenade, framed by a garland of laurel leaves embroidered in green. The pouch is attached to a belt with a 17 in. L short branch with buckle, and a long branch of 42 in., both approximately 1 3/4 inches wide. The flap and the belt have two rows of round-closed stitching along the edges and there is a cross-strap sewn between the long and short branches of the shoulder-belt, just above the pouch, with a small frog for retaining the fusil bayonet's scabbard. This is the only complete French cartridge pouch with belt for this early part of the 18th century that I have seen outside of European museums. CONDITION: Very good, the leather rather stiff, some minor scuffing and discoloration to sections of pouch and belt.