Page "Grenadier" Paragraph 12

As noted above, grenadiers were distinguished by their head-gear from the ordinary musketeers ( or Hatmen ) who made up the bulk of each regiment of foot.

While there were some exceptions, the most typical grenadier headdress was either the mitre cap or the bearskin.

Both began to appear in various armies during the second half of the 17th century because grenadiers were impeded by the wide brimmed infantry hats of the period when throwing grenades.