Grenadiers were introduced into the Swedish army in 1684 when it was decided that each company should equip six privates and one corporal as grenadiers. In most armies, grenadiers had special grenadier caps that made them stand out from the other soldiers. In the Swedish army, however, such caps do not seem to have been particularly common. We have written evidence that thirteen regiments at some point during the Great Northern War had grenadier caps. Then there are five preserved grenadier caps in Russian custody and brass plates for a grenadier cap in the Swedish Army Museum's collections. However, not all preserved caps in Russia are necessarily from the Great Northern War or even from Sweden. And since the evidence in the written sources and the preserved caps overlap, a fairly small number of Carolean grenadier caps are known.

The oldest evidence of grenadier caps in Sweden is from 1691 when the ordinary grenadiers of the Dal Regiment (but not the corporals) were given such. However, when the number of grenadiers was increased in 1693 from six to nine, the Dal Regiment did not acquire any more grenadier caps. A third of the grenadiers of the Dal Regiment would therefore have worn ordinary karpuses in 1693. Three more regiments that were recruited in Sweden and Finland have evidence in the sources that their grenadiers wore grenadier caps at some point during the Great Northern War. However, the most famous grenadier formations, such as the Livgarde (Guard) Grenadier Battalion and the independent Grenadier Battalion from 1717, both had tricorne hats and no grenadier caps.

On those occasions when a Swedish regiment is said to have had grenadier caps, these were probably paid for with the colonel’s own money (or by redistributing the money allotted to them to purchase uniforms). In support of this interpretation is a letter from Major General N. Stromberg sent to Charles XII in 1700. In this letter, he proposed that Swedish grenadiers, like German and Dutch usage, should have special grenadier caps. However, the proposal was not approved by the king (Bellander, page 275). The reason for the rejection may have been Charles XII's spartan taste, but more likely it was a matter of cost. A regulation from 1752 stated that it was permissible to have grenadier caps in the regiments, but that they should be acquired "in the same way from now on, as has been done until now, without the crown being in any way inconvenienced thereby" (Bellander, page 325). In other words, colonels were free to equip their grenadiers with caps if it did not entail any increased cost to the state.

It seems that few colonels in Sweden and Finland wanted to spend the money required to have grenadier caps. Only four known examples exist. Five if you count the Saxon Regiment which had been recruited from Saxon prisoners of war but was stationed in Sweden. In the overseas provinces, however, grenadier caps seem to have been more common, as five regiments in the Baltics and four regiments in Germany had them. Maybe the Södermanland Regiment from Sweden should be included in the latter category, as their grenadier caps were commissioned when they were stationed in Germany in 1700-1702.

Given that there was no royal decree regulating the appearance of the grenadier caps, one cannot expect any greater uniformity. The few grenadier caps that we know of also have a varied appearance. However, it is possible to discern certain patterns for the German and Baltic regiments. Unfortunately, we do not have any descriptions of caps from Swedish or Finnish regiments that mention more detaila than the colour. Two German regiments, however, have detailed descriptions: Riksänkedrottningens (Dowager Queen's) and the Pomeranian Regiment. Both had caps that were edged with bearskin (apparently from North American black bears). The front flap was decorated with monograms (the Dowager Queen's and the King's, respectively). The Pomeranian Regiment's monogram was embroidered in 1698 but on a brass plate in 1702. Both also had a tassel on the top of the cap.

Three preserved grenadier caps can be identified with Baltic regiments. All of these have the name of the unit embroidered on the back in French spelling, which Charles XII would hardly have appreciated as he was known for his dislike of the French language. None of them had bearskin or brass plate. Two of them had a tassel. The decoration differs, but they had either the king's monogram or the national coat of arms, with lions, crowns and burning grenades as additional ornaments.

Unfortunately, the period after 1721 is not as thoroughly researched when it comes to military uniforms. However, grenadier caps may have become more common in the mid-18th century, as we know of several regiments that in 1748 received grenadier caps of the Prussian type (mitre with the front covered by a brass plate). During the Gustavian era, this type of cap was replaced by bearskin caps, which were then the fashion. However, their popularity caused the price of bearskin to increase so much that many new types of grenadier caps were introduced during the 19th century to reduce the cost. These different types of caps are illustrated below in a picture taken from Erik Bellander's book "Dräkt och uniform" (page 561).

The Hälsinge m/1748 cap in the picture above is not a grenadier cap, however. It is based on five preserved bearskin caps that were previously considered grenadier caps but which in fact belonged to the regiment's pioneers. In 1748 they received the same type of grenadier cap as the Södermanland Regiment.

Preserved Carolean Grenadier Caps

The five grenadier caps taken by the Russians that were known in the mid-19th century had, according to the Russian blog Oderint dum probent, the following appearance:

In addition to the grenadier caps in Russia, the Swedish Army Museum also has a preserved front plate and back plate of brass from Charles XII's reign that was on a grenadier cap (see pictures on the right). A reconstruction of a grenadier cap with both plates is also shown below. It is drawn by Göte Göransson and taken from the book "Karoliner". However, it is not certain that the cap was designed in the way Göransson has drawn it. It may instead have looked more like the cap from De la Gardie's Regiment. These plates have been attributed by the Army Museum to the Livgarde, but since the regiment's grenadiers wore tricornes instead of caps, the plates must have belonged to another regiment. Höglund puts forward the Saxon Regiment as a candidate since it is stated to have had grenadier caps in 1717/18. This is probably a good guess since the plates do not have a provincial coat of arms as a motif, which one would have expected for “indelta” regiments. The motif on the front plate consists of Charles XII's crowned monogram surrounded by heraldic arms taken from the greater national coat of arms as well as a lion on either side and colours and a drum at the bottom. The back plate has a burning grenade in the centre surrounded by colours, swords and cannon barrels.

Preserved Liberty Age Grenadier Caps
(click on the images to go to Digitalt Museum which has more images of these caps

Fredrik I's reign (1720-1751)	Fredrik I's reign (1720-1751)	Adolf Fredrik's reign (1751-1771)	Uppland Regiment 1748-1795
A front plate, probably worn by an officer in some enlisted regiment in Swedish Pomerania. At the bottom is Frederick I's monogram, above it the Swedish national coat of arms including the Hesse-Kassel coat of arms in the centre. The decorations are in Baroque style with lion mascarons, armour, trophies and more.	The motif is almost identical to the front plate from the time of Charles XII shown above, but with Frederick I's monogram and national coat of arms (and a grenade at the top). The Army Museum has attributed both plates to the Livgarde, perhaps because they are so similar, but the one from Charles XII's reign is definitely not from the Livgarde.	Probably made during the reign of Adolf Fredrik, but the monogram in the middle has been changed to that of Gustav III. The monogram is surrounded by a laurel wreath and crown. At the top a star inside a radiant sun. At the bottom the small Swedish coat of arms flanked by burning grenades.	In 1748 the king donated plates to the regiment while the company commanders had to pay for the rest of the grenadier caps. The plate has a burning grenade at the top. In the middle is the small Swedish coat of arms in a crowned shield surrounded by dragon wings, colours and trumpets. At the bottom is the coat of arms of Uppland.

Södermanland Regiment
1748-1795

In 1748, Crown Prince Adolf Fredrik paid for the plates for grenadier caps for men, musicians and non-commissioned officers of the Södermanland Regiment. In 1749, the regiment acquired three grenadier caps for officers at its own expense.

Prince's Caps 1751

These caps were likely made in 1751 and were probably worn by Princes Gustav (born 1746) and Karl (born 1748) when they courted their mother at Drottningholm Palace during some festive occasion.

Livgardet (crown prince Gustav)	Drottningens livregemente (Duke Karl)
Yellow broadcloth, lining, ribbing, silver lace and tassel, silver-plated brass plate. Blue enamel with gilded letters AFR (Adophus Fredericus Rex).	Silver lace and tassel. Cap, white at the top, blue broadcloth at the bottom. Behind the cap plate, yellow broadcloth at the front. Linen lining. Silver-plated brass plate. Blue enamel with gilded letters LVR (Lovisa Vlrica Regina).

Preserved Gustavian Grenadier Caps
(click on the images to go to Digitalt Museum which has more images of these caps)

Kronoberg Regiment
1783-1805

Duke Karl donated 100 grenadier caps to the regiment in 1783. Seven caps have been preserved in varying condition. They have a front of bearskin and a back of originally red but now brownish fabric (two of them are, however, entirely of bearskin and were probably non-commissioned officer caps). The skin and fabric were stretched over a frame of rattan with an inner layer of cardboard, under which was an inner cap of felt with a visor in the middle of the front. The grenadier caps were provided with a brass cord around the lower edge and a brass plate with the letters "K R" in a field of red enamel. On the back there was a red and white banner.

AM. 022040	AM. 022041	AM. 022042
AM. 022043	AM. 022044	AM. 022045
AM. 022046	AM. 094316	AM. 094317

Notes on Carolean Grenadiers

The table below provides an overview of the regiment-specific information available on the equipment of the grenadiers during the Carolean period. The green-marked boxes are regiments whose caps have more detailed descriptions than can be found in the table. The equipment of these and the other regiments is described in more detail below the table.

		Grenadier Cap		Other equipment
	Livgardet	No grenadier caps		Different decoration on the cartridge box lid than the Musketeers
	The Grenadier Battalion	No grenadier caps		Yellow grenadier box?
	Södermanland	1702	No description
	Östergötland			Wider straps 1715
	Kalmar			The same box as the Musketeers in 1721
	Skaraborg	No grenadier caps 1700
	Närke-Värmland	1701	Blue
	Västmanland			Goatskin strap 1712
	Dal Regiment	1691	No description	Waist belt instead of shoulder belt for sword 1696
	Hälsinge	No grenadier caps 1703
	Österbotten	No grenadier caps 1718		Yellow grenade box 1718
	Savolax	1718	Blue karpuses	Yellow leather grenadier box 1718
	Uppland 3-männings			Grenadier box with wide strap 1704
	Småland 3-männings			Yellow leather grenadier box 1718
	Närke-Värmland 3-männings			Blunderbuss, bayonet and deer catcher
	Riksänkedrottningen's Life Regiment	1695, 1702	Grey-white with black bearskin
	Pomeranian	1702	Yellow with brass & bearskin	Blue box with monogram and crown in brass
	Stralsund Garrison Regiment	1698	Blue	Grenade box with red lid 1703
	Stade Garrison Regiment	1710	Blue	Grenade box with red lid decorated with a grenade
	De la Gardie's regemente	1704	Blue with red flaps
	Mellin's regemente	1706?	Blue with yellow flaps	Granatväskor av gult läder
	Stackelberg's regemente			Larger box than the musketeers' 1703.
	Liewen's regemente	?	White (yellow?) with gold embroidery
	Nieroth's regemente	1702	No description
	Schwengeln's Regiment	1704	No description
	Elbing Garrison Regiment			Box adorned with cast brass grenade 1709
	Saxon	1717/1718	No description

Brown leather grenade box with Charles XII's monogram on the lid (one "I" has fallen out. AM. 015481

Grenade box with Charles XII's monogram. AM. 071527

Grenade box with Charles XII's monogram AM. 014279

Grenade box with Charles XII's monogram AM. 014286

Södermanland 1702: "96 grenadiers were also awarded grenadier caps, 'according to the sample sent here and with all the decorations', but unfortunately without a description!" (Höglund page 68) Since the regiment was stationed in the German provinces in 1700-1702, the caps may have been similar to those worn b Riksänkedrottningen's Life Regiment and Pomeranian Regiment.

Östergötland 1715: Grenadier belts, slightly wider than the musketeers' belts with powder horn, grease horn and 3 vent picks. (Larsson page 66)

Kalmar 1701: Grenadier bandolier box. 1721: Grenadier's box, black leather with two brass rings inside. Buffalo leather bandolier with a brass ring inside to attach the fuse cover. This was the same equipment that the musketeers received. (Larsson page 66)

Skaraborg 1700: "The grenadiers were dressed like musketeers and had no special grenadier caps" (Höglund page 66).

Närke-Värmland 1701: 19 blue caps sent to Örebro. (Larsson 65). 1705: Grenadier bandolier box. (Larsson page 66). The grenadier caps sent to Örebro should have been part of the equipment that the home companies sent to the field companies that year. If they had been distributed to the regiment at the same time as their uniforms at the time, they should have been from 1691.

Västmanland 1712: Grenadier bandolier of goatskin. (Larsson page 66)

Dal Regiment In 1691 the private grenadiers (not the grenadier corporals) received grenadier caps of unknown design. No new grenadier caps were procured before 1699, so a third of them must have had karpuses after the number of grenadiers was increased in 1693. Unlike the musketeers who had shoulder belts for their swords during the 1690s, the grenadiers had not later than 1696 received waist belts instead (Asker, pages. 80-81).

Hälsinge 1703: "1200 blue karpuses" (Höglund page 73). All soldiers in the regiment thus received a karpus.

Savolax 1718: "Grenadiers like the rest of the men, but with grenadier box of yellow leather and as headgear, blue karpus!" The rest of the men had hats with yellow lace. (Höglund page 75). Note that the word karpus means cap in general and can also include grenadier caps.

Österbotten 1718: "The grenadiers were equipped and dressed like the musketeers. Yellow grenade boxes." (Höglund page 79)

Uppland 3-männings 1704: Grenadier box with wide strap. (Larsson page 66)

Småland 3-männings 1718/19: "Grenadiers: Hat, blue coat. Blue coat with yellow lining and cuffs. Waistcoat and breeches of yellow broadcloth, yellow wool stockings and black stilettos. Grenadier box of yellow leather." (Höglund page 127). The uniforms of the rest of the men are not described by Höglund so I suspect that "Grenadiers:" may be a typo.

Närke-Värmland 3-männings "1700: "The grenadiers were armed with, among other things, blunderbusses, muskets with bayonets and, as sidearm, deer catcher."

Riksänkedrottningen's Life Regiment For the years 1695/1702, Höglund writes (page 101): "The grenadiers had 1701 grenadier caps, edged with bearskin. The caps were probably white, as in 1695, with the Dowager Queen's monogram (HERS) under the royal crown, in blue." Anders Larsson (page 65) has the following description for the year 1702: "8 grenadier caps/company of grey-white broadcloth with black bearskin decorated. A white tassel was placed on top of the cap. 2 drummers and 5 non-commissioned officers also received this headgear. (Other authors have the addition: "the text HERS under the royal crown")"

Pomeranian Regiment 1702: 96 grenadier boxes and 96 blue cartridge boxes (Larsson page 66). Höglund (page 103) describes the grenadier box as blue, with a brass cipher and crown. The grenadier caps are described most extensively by Larsson, but Höglund states in the supplement from 2003 (page 57) that the grenadiers were issued new uniforms in 1698 that were identical to those from 1702 "with the exception that the grenadier caps had a crown and cipher in embroidery. Not in stamped brass like in 1702."
   Privates: 98 grenadier caps of yellow broadcloth, in front and behind the large flap ("stütz"), edged with bearskin. In the front a small blue flap. Above, the royal monogram of cast brass. On top a large blue camel hair tassel (Larsson 65).
   Musicians: 2 grenadier caps that were identical to the privates'. (Larsson 69)
   Non-commissioned officers: 4 grenadier caps of blue broadcloth, in front and behind the large flap (stütz) edged with bearskin. In the front a small yellow flap. Above the royal monogram of cast brass. On top a large yellow camel hair tassel and real gold lace around. (Larsson 28)

Stralsund Garrison Regiment 1698. "144 grenadier caps of blue broadcloth and beside the name and crown of the King's Majesty, next to others decorated with orange and other colours with fine camel hair yarn embroidered and otherwise with black knitted striped linen fabric, orange-coloured silk lace. Strips and buttons are decorated." (Larsson page 65). 1703: "144 large well-made grenadier bandolier box of strong red jut and over the box a beautiful thick lashed buffalo leather flap. Inside a thick separation made of chamois leather that has a 12-cartridge space. Place for oil bottle of tin and place for scraper, flints, gunpowder and bullets. Wide lashed buffalo leather belts with powder horn, brush and snips attached to their straps." (Larsson page 66)

Stade Garrison Regiment Höglund writes for the year 1710 (page 106) that the grenadiers received blue grenadier caps, as well as new grenade boxes made of yellow leather, covered with red broadcloth and adorned on the lid with a flaming grenade. For officers, caps and boxes were sewn in gold and silver embroidery. The non-commissioned officers had flintlock rifles, coats with real silver buttons, gloves with silver lace, caps and boxes with silver embroidery. The men had caps and boxes embroidered with white camel hair yarn. Larsson writes for the year 1715 (page 65) that they had 8 grenadier caps per company from the year 1704 that were embroidered with white camel hair lace "Gantz neu mit Weiss camelhar Brodiert".

De la Gardie's Regiment A blue cap with red flaps. On the front a large flap with Charles XII's monogram in yellow embroidery and in front of it a smaller flap with the coat of arms of Estonia. On the back the text "GRENADIERS DE DANNENFELD" is embroidered. The red flaps are also decorated with flaming grenades. (A more detailed description is provided further down)

Mellin's Regiment A cap that probably belonged to an officer is preserved in Russia. It was blue with yellow flaps and on the front embroidered with Charles XII's cipher together with two lions and a crown, all in gold. The back embroidered with two palm leaves and the text "GRENADIERS DU COMTE MELIN" under a golden crown. Gold tassel at the top. Larsson (pages 65-66) has the following information. 1703: the grenadier box must be larger than those for the musketeers and 100 grenadiers receive grenadier caps instead of hats. 1704: 100 grenadier caps and 100 bandoliers for the grenadiers. (Larsson pages 65-66). According to Höglund (page 110) the regiment had grenadier caps and grenade box made of yellow leather in 1706.

Stackelberg's Regiment 1703: "100 slightly larger boxes for the grenadiers than for the 700 musketeers". (Larsson page 66).

Liewen's Regiment
1703: "12 companies of 84 men each. The colonel’s company equipped as grenadiers." (Höglund page 108). A grenadier cap in Russian custody has the text "GRENADIERS DE LIVE" on the back and probably belonged to this regiment (see picture to the right). On the front it says "LA DERNIÈRE RAISON DES PRINCES" (The princes' last argument), which is a semi-joking expression to describe how the military is used to settle the princes' disputes. Otherwise, the decorations consist of the Swedish national arms and flaming grenades. The colour of the cap is now white, but it may have been an originally yellow cap that has been bleached. Alternatively, it was originally white because the grenadiers were part of the colonel’s company that carried a white colour. The gold embroidery on the cap indicates that it was an officer's cap. The cap likely had a bag that is not preserved.

30 October 1700, Charles XII decided that the 30 grenadiers of the colonel’s company should receive red coats from the arsenal in Reval. (information conveyed to me via email from Kalle Kroon who refers to: RA, kungliga koncepter, 568).

Nieroth's Regiment 1702: 90 grenadier caps (Larsson page 65). 1708: 120 grenadier boxes (Höglund page 108)

Schwengeln's Regiment 1704: "116 grenadier caps". (Larsson page 65)

Elbing Garrison Regiment 1709: "64 large grenadier boxes for the new stock of good Russian leather with a cast brass grenade on the outside of the cartridge. Strapped belts of good buffalo leather, and associated fuse holders and gunpowder and grease horns with strap pins. For the old stock 64 small ones with tin boxes covered with buffalo leather, the lids of good Russian leather, the straps of good buffalo leather and brass buckles". (Larsson page 66)

Saxon Regiment 1717/1718: "The grenadier company was uniformed like the musketeers, but the privates and musicians were dressed in grenadier caps." (Höglund page 112, he also mentions the possibility that the brass plates in the Swedish Army Museum belonged to this regiment)

The Livgarde Grenadier Battalion

The Livgarde (Life Guards) had a larger number of grenadiers than the other regiments from the very beginning. In  1684 they were to have 10 in the two larger companies and eight in the smaller ones, so that there was a total of 100 Guards Grenadiers. At the outbreak of war in 1700, this number was doubled, and the positive experiences at the landing in Humlebæk led to a further expansion that same year. In September 1700, the Livgarde's 1,800 men were redistributed so that 12 companies became 18, and that three of these became grenadier companies. The number of grenadiers was thus 300 men, and they subsequently formed a separate grenadier battalion. The Livgarde continued to undergo changes, and in August 1703 the number of grenadiers was doubled to six companies (out of 24). Since 1701, the Livgarde company size was 108 men, which meant that the grenadier battalion would consist of 648 men until the Battle of Poltava.

After the reorganisation in the autumn of 1700, there were not enough colours for the new Guard companies, so six of the Guard colours that had been replaced in 1692 were requested back. These appear to have arrived after the battle of Narva, but they were replaced already during the winter of 1701-1702 when a new set of 18 colours were manufactured and delivered to the Livgarde. Three of them were intended for the grenadier companies and had grenades embroidered in the corners. However, it does not appear as if these were ever issued to the grenadier companies. They did not come into use until November 1702 when three regular companies were added to the Livgarde. In a letter written by Charles XII in October 1701, it is stated that “no colours are used in grenadier companies”. There is no evidence that the Guard grenadier companies were issued any colours at a later date.

After the Battle of Poltava, what remained of the Livgarde surrendered to the Russians. However, Charles XII decided that it should be restored to its former size (including the grenadier battalion). But for various reasons, recruitment was very slow and the organisation remained at 12 companies (none of them grenadier companies) for a long time with a total strength of just over 1,000 men. It was only when Charles XII returned to Sweden that more effort was put into recruitment and the Livgarde' strength was doubled. Although, by the time of his death in 1718, it had not yet reached full strength and the hastily decided retreat from Norway in the middle of winter was a disaster for the Livgarde. Of the 795 men who arrived in Stockholm, half had to be discarded. The ambition level for the restored Livgarde was lowered to 18 companies (of which three were grenadier companies) with a total strength of 1,800 men.

The Guard grenadiers never had any grenadier caps during the Great Northern War, and were instead issued the same tricorne hats as the rest of the men. It is not until 1776 that there is information about the Livgarde having grenadier caps, and in 1781 its grenadiers were issued 300 bearskin caps.

When the Livgarde ordered new uniforms in 1716, the private's uniforms were to have the same appearance as those issued in 1707. That order stated that the lids of the grenadiers' cartridge boxes were to be adorned with "grenades and other ornaments". They do not seem to have had palm branches and crowns like the musketeers (Wernstedt page 636).

The Independent Grenadier Battalion

In 1717, Charles XII ordered the creation of an independent grenadier battalion by taking 64 men each from eight infantry regiments (Småland and Västgöta 3-männing regiments, Uppland and Västgöta 5-männing regiments, Östra Skånska, Västra Skånska and Halland conscripted regiments, and the Berg-regiment). It participated in the defence of the Swedish west coast in 1717 and the Norwegian campaign in 1718, but was disbanded in the autumn of 1719. A large part of the battalion was then transferred to the Livgarde, while the rest was returned to their original regiments.

Like the Guard Grenadier Battalion, this battalion's eight grenadier companies did not have any colours or grenadier caps.

De la Gardie's Grenadier Company

The most famous Swedish grenadier cap belonged to the grenadier company of De la Gardie's Estonian regiment, which was raised in 1700. The cap is kept in the St. Petersburg Artillery Museum and is easy to identify because it has the text "GRENADIERS DE DANNENFELD" on the back (Dannenfeld was a captain lieutenant in the regiment. It also has the Estonian coat of arms on the smaller flap on the front. The cap was most likely captured by the Russians during the siege of Narva in the summer of 1704.

In his book, Höglund has incorrectly identified the cap as belonging to the Narva garrison regiment. This is because the red colour of the cap does not match that of the De la Gardie regiment, which had yellow facings on their uniforms. However, Höglund has later admitted his mistake and now has a different explanation for the divergent colour. Part of the De la Gardie regiment (including the grenadier company) was garrisoned in Narva after the Battle of Hummelshof. In 1703, a batch of blue broadcloth and red lining was delivered to the Narva garrison, and it is likely that the soldiers from the De la Gardie's regiment also received new uniforms with red lining.

Even though the cap is so well preserved, only one tassel seems to have disappeared, it has given rise to many incorrect illustrations of Swedish grenadiers in modern times. All this is because it was depicted with a black and white photo in Erik Bellander's uniform book from 1973. Illustrators who have used the photo as their source have chosen incorrect colour schemes, which have then been spread by other illustrators and figure painters.

Erik Bellander's photo from 1973 with the caption "Blue broadcloth with foldable flaps in red and monogram in yellow".	Göte Göransson's interpretation from the book "Karoliner" (1976).	David Rickman's interpretation from the book "Poltava 1709 – Russia comes of age" (1994).

It is primarily David Rickman's illustration that has received wide circulation because it ended up in an English-language Osprey book. The odd choice of having a cap with red flaps but yellow on the rest of the uniform has been copied by many unsuspecting illustrators who thought that was how Swedish grenadiers looked like. The Osprey book does not specify any regimental affiliation for the grenadier and the caption is about Swedish grenadiers in general.

Older Conceptions of Carolean Grenadier Caps

"Swedish troops under Charles XII in 1700" (with close-up of the grenadier cap) The plate comes from Richard Knötel's "Uniformenkunde" (volume 3). The entire work was published in 18 volumes from 1890-1914.

Reconstructed cap that was previously (before 1943) on display at the Swedish Army Museum

In illustrations from the 19th and early 20th centuries, Carolean grenadiers are depicted with a strange cap with a brass plate and a large hanging bag. It is unclear to me how this perception of Carolean grenadier caps has arisen. However, the oldest picture that I know of was made by Adolf Ulrik Schützercrantz around 1850 and depicts Livgarde uniforms from different periods. I do not have access to Schützercrantz's picture in a higher resolution than the one below, but I assume that the brass plate has the same details as Knötel's picture above since they are otherwise completely identical.

Knötel has a detailed description of the brass plate's decoration in his caption, even though it does not match any preserved brass plate. However, the lower part matches the back plate of a grenadier cap in the Swedish Army Museum's collections. The wavy contour of the brass plate also matches the front plate in the Army Museum, which also contains the same details as the upper part in Knötel's picture. It is probably these plates that are the inspiration for the strange grenadier cap, even though the original plate contains more details and has a much more elaborate design than Knötel's cap.

Knötel probably used Schützercrantz as a source because the uniform details are identical and the grenadier also has almost exactly the same pose. Schützercrantz may also have been the source of inspiration for the reconstructed cap with the aforementioned front plate that has been exhibited at the Army Museum. See the photo on the right which is taken from "Meddelanden från Armémusei vänner VI" (page 28). However, by the time that book was printed in 1943, the cap had already been removed from the plate.

Guardsmen 1700, 1765, 1779 (two variants) and 1802
Drawn by Adolf Ulrik Schützercrantz (Svenska krigsmaktens fordna och närvarande munderingar, 1849-1853)

Schützercrantz's grenadier is supposed to represent a guardsman, but the Livgarde did not have grenadier caps during the time of Charles XII, and instead wore tricorne hats. He has also depicted it with lapels, even though these did not become part of the Livgarde' uniform until the 1750s (for officers it happened in 1728). Another detail that is probably not incorrect, but which is still likely to have confused other illustrators, is that the coat does not have turnbacks. Since Caroleans soldiers are usually depicted with turnbacks, many therefore seem to have drawn the incorrect conclusion that the grenadiers distinguished themselves by letting the coat skirt hang freely. This detail recurs in several other illustrations even when the other soldiers are depicted with turnbacks, including David Rickman's images from the Osprey book about the Battle of Poltava from 1994.

During the first half of the 20th century, Einar von Strokirch (1879-1932) was the illustrator who had the greatest influence on the general perception of how Carolean uniforms looked like. He was a very productive illustrator whose main work was "Svenska arméns munderingar 1680–1905" from 1911. Strokirch's drawings of grenadiers are largely copies of Schützercrantz. See the image below on the left, which was republished as late as 1993 in the book "Från Brunkeberg till Nordanvind – 500 år med svenskt infanteri". Since the image is black and white, the lapels are not easy to spot, but they are still there.

After the book "Karoliner" was published in 1976, it is now Göte Göransson's illustrations and not Strokirch's that have shaped the image of Charles XII's Caroleans among the public. His grenadiers have a completely different appearance than their predecessors. But it is not certain that his grenadier cap is more accurate since it follows the appearance that dominated during the subsequent Liberty Age and which may not have been in use during Charles XII's time.

Unless otherwise stated, page references to Höglund refer to his book from 2000.

Asker, Björn. Om svenska fotfolkets nybeklädnad (article in MAM 40). Stockholm (1983).
Bellander, Erik. Dräkt och uniform. Stockholm (1973).
Höglund, Lars-Eric – Sallnäs, Åke. Stora nordiska kriget 1700-1721 - Fanor och uniformer. Karlstad (2000).
Höglund, Lars-Eric – Sallnäs, Åke. Stora nordiska kriget 1700-1721, II. Karlstad (2003).
Ingesson, Stefan. Karl XII:s sista elitförband – Kungliga grenadjärbataljonen 1717-1719. (article in KFÅ 2024). Järfälla (2024).
Konstam, Angus. Poltava 1709 - Russia comes of age. London (1994).
Larsson, Anders. Karolinska uniformer och munderingar åren 1700-1721. Östersund (2022).
Wernstedt, Folke. Kungl. Svea livgardes historia, band IV. Stockholm (1954).
Åberg, Alf – Göransson, Göte. Karoliner. Stockholm (1976).