GIBERNE AND BANDEROLE OF THE 1st COMPANY OF MOUSQUETAIRES OF THE KING'S MILITARY HOUSEHOLD (Gray Musketeers), Restoration Period (1814-1816). 30034

GIBERNE AND BANDEROLE OF THE 1st COMPANY OF MOUSQUETAIRES OF THE KING'S MILITARY HOUSEHOLD (Gray Musketeers), Restoration Period (1814-1816). 30034

Wood and leather giberne covered in red Morocco leather. Measures 19.9 cm in length at the bottom and 18.5 cm at the top, with a height of 8.2 cm and width of 4.6 cm; curved shape; at the back of the giberne and at its top, there are two red Morocco leather loops in which the two ends of the banderole are inserted. The giberne, also in red Morocco leather, is white silk-stitched. Under the giberne, there are three copper buttons, with the middle one used to fasten the strap, and the others for attaching the ends of the banderole. At the back, the loop is attached to the giberne by a nail on each side and stitched in the middle. The interior of the giberne is wooden, divided into two compartments.
The strap (width 20.2 cm at the top, 20.8 cm at the bottom, height 13 cm in the center) is bordered with a trim divided into three embroidered sections in silver threads, with a total width of 12 mm (two lines framing a bar).
In the center of the strap is the distinctive cross in embossed brass reinforced with tin and gilded, with the center in copper plated with silver. This emblem measures 8.2 cm in diameter, with the central part of the cross measuring 4.3 cm in height and width.
The bottom of the strap has rounded corners and a pointed middle; at each of its four corners, a gold fleur-de-lis is attached with the point turned inward. The fleur-de-lis are made of embossed brass reinforced with tin and gilded, measuring 2.7 cm in height and 2.2 cm in width.

Red Morocco leather banderole covered on one side with a gold trim, width 6 cm; it is finished at the bottom with two tabs that button underneath the giberne.

In very good condition, the trimmings of the giberne and the trim of the banderole are slightly oxidized.

France.

Restoration Period (1814-1816).

NOTE
While the giberne case of the Gray Musketeers is particularly spectacular, the banderole remains very simple. However, it is an element of this equipment of the highest rarity of which we personally only know two or three examples in the world.

VARIANTS
There is a manufacturing variant. The collections of the Musée de l’Armée have two variants that do not seem to have specific justification. The only attribution that can be suggested may be that of gibernes for supernumerary musketeers or simply a first manufacturing prototype intended to be presented before final adoption.
The first variant differs from the standard model only in the position of the four fleurs-de-lis at the corners of the strap; on this piece, they are turned outwards, not inwards. The second variant has an exterior border decorated not by an embroidered trim but by a hot iron gold decoration.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Reestablished by ordinance on June 15, 1814, the two companies of Musketeers are attached to the protection of the King. Their existence will be interrupted by the return of Napoleon to power. The Second Restoration, constrained by budgetary restrictions, separates from the red companies in 1816. The relatively small numbers of the Musketeers did not exceed around 200 men per company. Despite this small figure, a number of objects have survived. Gibernes of the first company remain difficult to find, although they are much less rare than the models of the second company.