WW1 French 73rd Infantry Regiment Kepi

If you are looking for a heavily battlefield worn French infantry Kepi of the 1914 period this 'Poilu' time capsule piece may be for you ...
An M1884 other ranks kepi of the 73rd Infantry regiment as worn by the French army in the early 1914 period .
As with most French army attire upon its mobilisation in 1914 this model dated from the 1880s & was soon replaced by 1915 with other forms of less conspicuous headgear which continued to evolve as the war went on. Of red wool cloth with dark blue cord piping the cap band has the number of the regiment crudely stitched on in this case the 73rd. When one examines the ad hoc stitching of the patch onto the band it is quite apparent that this is very typical rough soldier applied sewing as is found on most original examples. The circular leather cutout patch in the leather crown has faint inspection stamp now illegible. Chinstrap complete with two tombac c/s buttons bearing the flaming grenade of the infantry. A heavily trench worn piece with some moth nips to wool & cord piping. Interior retains its correct leather sweatband & burlap lining the leather partially rodent chewed to one side.
As with most French infantry militaria from WW1 this Kepi is well worn & epitomises the 'Poilu' of 1914.

The 73rd Infantry Regiment saw much action with the 2nd Infantry Division in 1914 defending the bridges of Dinant & Bouvignes attempting to prevent the Germans from crossing the Meuse. On August 23rd they fought at the Battle of Charleroi & on August 29th the Battle of Guise. Of course they took their place in history during the Battle of the Marne also.

Code: 14741