Original French WWI Foreign Legion Capitaine Officer’s Kepi with Bullion Insignia by - Complete
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Original Item. Only One Available. From its foundation until World War I the Foreign Legion normally wore the uniform of the French line infantry for parade with a few special distinctions. In the early 20th century the legionnaire wore a red kepi with blue band and piping, dark blue tunic with red collar, red cuff patches, and red trousers. Distinctive features were the green epaulets (replacing the red of the line) worn with red woolen fringes; plus the embroidered Legion badge of a red flaming grenade, worn on the kepi front instead of a regimental number. In the field a light khaki cover was worn over the kepi, though this one was manufactured in the khaki color and was more than likely a private purchase. During the initial months of World War I, Foreign Legion units serving in France wore the standard blue greatcoat and red trousers of the French line infantry, distinguished only by collar patches of the same blue as the capote, instead of red. After a short period in sky-blue the Foreign Legion adopted khaki, in common with other units of the Armée d'Afrique, with steel helmets, from early 1916.
This is a very rare French Foreign Legion Officer’s kepi worn by a Capitaine during the First World War era. This is the lower height style kepi they first started using after phasing out the floppy or "bummer" type kepis. This style was only worn for a short time during WWI into the early 1920's. From the construction of this example, it appears earlier and certainly during the WWI period. To the front is a small embroidered bullion flaming bomb with a wreath around it, denoting issue to the French Foreign Legion. The faux chinstrap is held in place by two unmarked buttons.
The underside shows a thin leather sweatband in good shape with great stitching. The crown has a great maker’s mark reading:
Cheminade
MAITRE TAILLEUR
BANDALIUM
BTE S.G.D.G.
INDEFORMABLE
The kepi is roughly a size 6 ½. A very scarce French Foreign Legion Kepi, ready for further research and display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
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