WW1 French Kepi & M1902/1912 Cover As Worn August 1914

An early WW1 period French 171st Infantry Regiment kepi with original cover of the M1902/1912 model. This regiment was deployed & lost many men in the early Alsace frontier battles of 1914 with 1000 men being lost on 28th September when they were ordered to attack 'Bois Brule' & 'Bois d'Ailly' to prevent German troops encircling Verdun.
This kepi is an M1884 with red body & dark blue piping as was still being worn in the very early frontier battles of August 1914. The cover is in the new blueish iron grey which was seen as of around 1913 , previous models were in white. Following the typical pattern the 02/12 model this rare example has three button holes to rear for attachment of the neck flap ( rarely seen ). The black regulation chinstrap has been fitted over the cover with chinstrap buttons accommodating slits in the rear of the cover for fitment . Interior of kepi is lined in the standard starched beige linen cloth with circular leather flap to crown revealing soldiers initials & number beneath it .
I have made no attempt to remove the whole cover as it not been disturbed for many years . Carefully lifting the front part one can see the red regimental '171' numbers on rectangular base handstitched to the front this clearly having never been disturbed since the Great War. There are some small moth nips to the dark blue cloth band as expected ( See Images ).
Overall rare piece & from a well blooded French infantry regiment of WW1.

The 171st Regiment were in 1914 barracked at Belfort then fighting in many famous battles such as Verdun , Aisne , Picardy & Saint Quentin.

Code: 13713