Slow match holder?

[Karl Helweg]

Does anyone know of a source for inexpensive bras slow match holders like the one in the center of this grenadier's baldric? I only recall seeing two and both were homemade.

 

[JohnnyO]

http://www.gggodwin.com/CartGenie/prod-895.htm

Don't know if $60 is low cost, but that's the only one I recall seeing...I'm sure there are other sources though

 

[Leonredbeard]

What is a baldric and where is it on his uniform? Or wherever it is. :idunno: :surrender:
volatpluvia

 

[widget350]

A baldric is a strap worn over the shoulder typically used to carry a sword.

Either that or this guy:

The strap I think he's referring to is the one for the pouch/cartridge box with the little brass colored tube near the shoulder. I don't know that that's the same thing though, especially since he doesn't appear to be holding a matchlock.

 

[RangerThacher]

http://www.militaryheritage.com/7ywrepca.htm

 

[Karl Helweg]

Thank you JohnnyO and RangerThatcher, both are good and cheaper than I expected.
http://www.reenactor.net/forums/index.php/topic,1690.0.html

Grenadiers used to wear these to light their grenade fuses but they seemed to have remained in use by the Russian-American Company personnel as general fire makers (and maybe hand warmers) here a little longer. Gathering up gear for this persona has been sort of a back burner project of mine.

 

[Tourblanche]

By mid XVIII they were useless , other than a sign of prestige .
Grenadiers being the elite of an army .

I doubt these match holders were ever used by general
infantry , even in the matchlock era , as for most of that period
the powder was carried in " charges " ( later called " apostles "
by victorian collectors )

 

[bingo1952]

They lasted as long as grenadiers had need for lighting the fuse on a grenade which was well into the 19th century

 

[Tourblanche]

Check your books :wink:
Grenades were first used in the 15th century, and, when reliable, must have been devastating against a lightly armored enemy. As firepower became more deadly, hand-to-hand combat declined, and with it, the use of the grenade. It was virtually abandoned after 1750,
http://www.essortment.com/all/handgrenadeh_rgor.htm


Primitive hand grenades first saw use in the 15th century, but their employment largely ceased after 1750, as they were quite cumbersome to manage and damaged their users as often as their enemies.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/269044/the_history_of_mortars_hand_grenades.html?cat=37


etc, etc.

There is very little evidence of the use of grenades in
the seven years war .
At fort Oswego , 1756 , it had been useless to defend the fort .

If you have documented evidence of their use , please
enlight me .