Castle Garth, Civil War Bastion, bandoleer

During archaeological excavations at a C17 bastion at the Castle Keep three charge holders from a bandoleer (shoulder-belt with loops or pockets for cartridges) were found in the fill of the bastion ditch. A musketeer carried a belt with usually 12 charge holders or cartridges suspended from it. It was made of leather and wood with pewter caps. Lead musket balls and a pistol bullet were also recovered. A more complete example of a cap, with two side loops for strings attaching it to the body of the cartridge was found elsewhere at the castle (Nolan 1990, fig. 14, no. 46).