The Prussian cartridge box (ammunition pouch) for enlisted men of the Mounted Grenadier Regiment Freiherr von Derfflinger (Neumark) No. 3 represents a significant piece of equipment from the Royal Prussian cavalry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This regiment, stationed in Bromberg (modern-day Bydgoszcz, Poland), belonged to the traditional mounted grenadier units of the Prussian Army.
The Mounted Grenadier Regiment No. 3 was founded in 1691 and bore the honorary name of Georg Freiherr von Derfflinger (1606-1695), one of Brandenburg-Prussia's most distinguished field marshals under the Great Elector. Derfflinger was particularly renowned for his victories at the Battle of Fehrbellin in 1675 and his contribution to establishing Brandenburg as a military power. The unit was headquartered in Bromberg, a strategically important city in the Province of Posen.
This cartridge box is made of black leather and decorated with brass fittings, corresponding to the standard design for Prussian cavalry. The construction displays the typical craftsmanship of the period: a robust leather container to protect ammunition from moisture and mechanical damage. The loops on the upper side served to secure the cleaning rod, an essential tool for maintenance and cleaning of firearms.
Particularly noteworthy is its design for the Reichsrevolver M/79, officially called Revolver 79. This weapon, a regulation revolver of the German Empire, was introduced in 1879 and manufactured in 10.6mm caliber. The revolver was a development of French systems and primarily served cavalry units and artillery as a sidearm. The use of revolvers in mounted units was practical, as they could be operated one-handed, unlike rifles.
The chamber stamp “RDR5 1890 D5 1906 I” impressed in the lid provides important information about the military administration of this piece. Such stamps were part of the Prussian system for inventorying and marking army equipment. The years 1890 and 1906 indicate inspections, reviews, or redistributions conducted as part of regular chamber administration. The abbreviation “RDR” might refer to the regiment or a specific squadron, while the number combinations served internal administration purposes.
The object is designated as a chamber piece, meaning it originated from military stocks and was officially issued. The period around 1900 was a time of significant changes in the Prussian Army. Although cavalry still played an important role, technological developments already indicated its declining importance in modern warfare. Nevertheless, mounted grenadier regiments continued to be regarded as elite units and received correspondingly high-quality equipment.
The construction of the cartridge box followed strict military regulations laid down in the uniform regulations of the Prussian Army. These regulations specified not only materials and construction methods but also the types of decorations and fittings. The brass fittings served not merely functional purposes – reinforcing edges and closures – but also contributed to the uniform appearance of the troops during parades and inspections.
The stationing in Bromberg was strategically significant. The city was located in the Prussian Province of Posen, an area with a mixed German and Polish population. The presence of military units served not only defense purposes but also represented Prussian power in these eastern provinces. The regiment was part of the garrison stationed there and played an important role in the military and social life of the region.
The preservation of such equipment items offers valuable insights into the material culture of the Imperial German Army. Every detail – from leather processing to brass fittings to administrative stamps – tells of production methods, military organization, and the practical requirements of soldier life before World War I. The cartridge box was more than just a functional item; it was part of the identity and tradition of one of Prussia's most venerable cavalry units.
With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the role of cavalry would fundamentally change. Modern warfare with machine guns, artillery, and trenches made mounted charges increasingly obsolete, but at the time this cartridge box was in use, it still represented the proud tradition of Prussian cavalry. The regiment would go on to serve throughout the war, adapting to new realities while maintaining its historical legacy.
Today, such artifacts serve as tangible connections to a bygone era of military history, preserving the memory of the soldiers who served and the complex system of organization, supply, and tradition that characterized the Imperial German military establishment.
