Editing Grenadier (section)

==Early distinctions of dress and equipment==
[[File:David Morier (1705^-70) - Grenadiers, Infantry Regiments "Hirzel', 'Constant'(^) and 'Stuerler'(^). - RCIN 403394 - Royal Collection.jpg|thumb|right|Swiss grenadiers from different regiments by the artist [[David Morier]], c.1748, British Royal art collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Morier (1705?-70) - Grenadiers, Infantry Regiments Hirzel, Constant(?) and Stuerler(?). |url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/403394/grenadiers-infantry-regiments-hirzel-constant-and-stuerler |access-date=2022-02-07 |website=www.rct.uk |language=en}}</ref> Note the mitre caps and the brass match case on the shoulder-belt]]

The wide hats with broad brims characteristic of infantry during the late 17th century were in some armies discarded and replaced with caps. This was originally to allow the grenadier to sling his musket over his back with greater ease while throwing grenades<ref>{{cite book|first=W.Y.|last=Carman|page=68|title=A Dictionary of Military Uniform|year=1977|publisher=Scribner |isbn=0-684-15130-8}}</ref> (initially, only these troops were provided with slings). It has been suggested that a brimless hat also permitted the grenadier greater ease in throwing the grenade overhand.<ref>{{cite book|first=David|last=Fraser|page=31|title=The Grenadier Guards|date=27 July 1989|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=0-85045-284-8}}</ref> Preben Kannik, former Curator of the Danish Army Museum, however, definitely states that grenades were thrown underhand and that it was the slinging of firearms that required the special headdresses typical of early grenadiers.<ref>Preben Kannil, page 154 "Military Uniforms of the World", SBN 71370482 9</ref>

The grenadiers of the French infantry were by the 1690s distinguished from their musketeer colleagues by special issues of equipment. These included slings for their flintlocks, curved sabres instead of straight swords, large leather pouches for grenades and hatchets.<ref>René Chartrand, pages 21 & 44 ''Louis XIV's Army'', {{ISBN|0850458501}}</ref>

By 1700, grenadiers in the English and other armies had adopted a cap in the shape of a bishop's [[mitre]], usually decorated with the regimental insignia in embroidered cloth.  In addition to grenades, they were equipped with [[Flintlock]] [[muskets]].  Attached to the shoulder belt was a brass 'match case' that housed the slow match used to ignite the grenade fuse, a feature that was retained in later grenadier uniforms.