The cartridge box with bandolier represents one of the rarest and most ceremonially significant pieces of equipment among Prussian Guard troops. Manufactured around 1900, this item exemplifies the highest level of military ceremonial equipment and was exclusively reserved for the Regiment der Gardes du Corps, the personal bodyguard of the King of Prussia and, after 1871, of the German Emperor.
The Regiment der Gardes du Corps was founded in 1740 by Frederick the Great and evolved into the elite royal bodyguard, with the reigning monarch serving as honorary colonel. Stationed in Potsdam, both men and horses were selected from the very best quality. Unlike the rest of the Imperial German Army after German unification in 1871, the Garde du Corps was recruited nationally and was part of the 1st Guards Cavalry Division.
For great court festivities, members of the Gardes du Corps detailed as honor guards wore a special uniform called the Galawachanzug (gala guard uniform). Initially only the supraweste was special; from 1883 a special bandolier with cartridge box and special belt for the Galawachanzug were introduced. This cartridge box and bandolier belonged only to the gala guard uniform of the Regiment der Gardes du Corps and represented specialized ceremonial equipment distinct from field equipment.
The gala guard uniform included a red supraweste worn over the cuirassier tunic, with a large embroidered star of the Order of the Black Eagle on front and back. Other unique features of the regiment's full dress worn until 1914 included this red sleeveless Supraweste with the star of the Order of the Black Eagle. Together with the supraweste, honor guards wore the gorget and the special white bandolier with the large white cartridge box.
The craftsmanship of this equipment piece demonstrates the highest quality standards. The bandolier is made of heavy whitened leather approximately 6.4 to 6.7 centimeters wide, featuring applied red borders and nickel-silver fittings. The underside of the bandolier has a red cloth backing. The cartridge box itself is constructed from the same heavy whitened leather and displays on its large lid the red border and the large metal Guard star for enlisted men bearing the motto “suum cuique” (Latin for “to each his own”), the motto of the Order of the Black Eagle. Inside is the original wooden box insert.
Wilhelm II is depicted in paintings as Regimentschef in white parade uniform, underscoring the close connection between the monarch and this elite regiment. The Gardes du Corps served as the personal bodyguard and fulfilled representative honor guard duties at festive occasions in their magnificent special uniform.
The Regiment der Gardes du Corps was dissolved on 16 February 1919, after the cuirassier regiment had existed until the Prussian Army was disbanded in 1918. The gala uniform equipment ceased to be used after 1918-1919. The tradition was taken over in the Reichswehr by order of General Hans von Seeckt from 24 August 1921 by the 1st Squadron of the 4th (Prussian) Cavalry Regiment in Potsdam. Most recently in the Bundeswehr, Panzerbataillon 24 in Braunschweig carried on the tradition until its dissolution.
Due to the highly specialized usage and the limited production period from approximately 1883 to 1918, surviving examples of this cartridge box with bandolier are of the greatest rarity today and represent significant testimonies to Prussian military history and courtly magnificence.
