against cavalry. A bayonet-equipped musket was considered to be more practical for that, as it gave greater reach than a sword when facing a mounted opponent and could be braced against the impact of a charge. Sweden standardized bayonets for all soldiers by 1704, though they also still carried swords. On occasion, two-handed spiked clubs were used during sieges. Mounted troops carried broadswords and either two pistols each for a regiment of horse, or a carbine each for the dragoons. The artillery had a smaller sword for close combat, called a hirschfängare. Notably, the standard sword issued to the Swedish infantry was straight rather than curved (closer to a rapier than a saber), reinforcing the emphasis on stabbing rather than slashing. Rations A soldier's daily ration was to consist of of dry bread, of butter or pork, of peas, and of beer. The butter or pork was often replaced by fish if the latter were available. Water was generally avoided since it was often contaminated. Units and Formations A Carolean infantry regiment consisted of roughly 1,200 men, divided into two battalions of 600 men each. The battalion was the smallest tactical unit of the Swedish army and consisted of four companies of 150 men each. Prior to battle, the men were usually formed into four ranks (four men deep), however, a battalion could also be späckad (i.e. fattened) in six ranks. About one-third of the men were pikemen, equipped with swords and pikes. These pikemen often were in the middle of each battalion with musketeers on their flanks; however, if the battalion was späckad, the pikemen were placed in the third and fourth ranks. Grenadiers were often on the flanks of the musketeers—on the left and right of each battalion—to protect against enemy cavalry and to toss grenades to break enemy formations (there being one grenadier for ten musketeers). On occasion, the grenadiers formed their own battalions, such as the Life Grenadier Regiment. The width of a battalion was roughly (or with the battalion in close formation). At the outbreak of the Great Northern War, every Swedish musketeer was equipped with a sword and usually a calibre flintlock musket without a bayonet; however, a bayonet was issued to every Swedish musketeer in 1704. The grenadiers were equipped with grenades, swords, and flintlock muskets with bayonets. A cavalry regiment consisted of roughly 800 men with 1000 horses among them, divided into