GIBERNE OF THE 1st COMPANY OF MUSKETEERS OF THE KING'S MILITARY HOUSE, Restoration period (1814-1816). 29264

GIBERNE OF THE 1st COMPANY OF MUSKETEERS OF THE KING'S MILITARY HOUSE, Restoration period (1814-1816). 29264

Wood and leather cartridge pouch covered in red morocco. Box measuring 17 cm in length at the lower part and 17.3 cm at the upper part, height of 8.2 cm, and width of 4.6 cm; curved shape; two red morocco loops at the back of the box and at its top, used to secure the banderole's ends. The box, also in red morocco, is stitched with white silk threads. Below the box are three copper buttons, the middle one for securing the flap, and the others for attaching the banderole's ends. At the back, the loop is fixed to the box with a nail on each side and stitched in the middle. The interior of the box is divided into two compartments.
The flap (width 20 cm at the top, 20.8 cm at the bottom, height at the center 12.5 cm) is bordered by a braid divided into three embroidered parts in silver threads, with a total width of 12 mm (two lines enclosing a rod).
In the center, the distinctive cross made of stamped, tin-plated, gold-overlaid brass, with a silver-plated copper center, is attached. 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 flap has rounded corners and a pointed center; at each of its four corners, a golden fleur-de-lis is attached with its tip facing inward. The fleur-de-lis are made of stamped, tin-plated, gold-overlaid brass, 2.7 cm in height and 2.2 cm in width.

France.
Restoration period (1814-1816).
Very good condition.

VARIANTS
There is a manufacturing variant. The collections of the Army Museum have two variants that do not seem to have a specific justification. The only attribution that can be suggested is that they may be surplus musketeer cartridge pouches or simply a first manufacturing trial intended for presentation before final adoption.
The first variant differs from the standard model only by the position of the four fleur-de-lis at the corners of the flap; on this piece, they are facing outward, not inward. The second variant features an outer border decorated not with an embroidered braid but with a hot gold iron decorative pattern.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Reinstated by ordinance on June 15, 1814, the two companies of Musketeers were assigned to the King's protection. Their existence was interrupted by Napoleon's return to power. The second Restoration, constrained by budgetary restrictions, disbanded the red companies in 1816. The Musketeers' limited numbers did not exceed 200 men per company. Despite this reduced figure, a number of objects have survived. While the cartridge pouches of the first company remain rare to find, they are much less rare than the models of the second company.