WW1 French 1st Infantry Regiment M1884 Other Ranks Kepi

A rare french infantry M1884 kepi with numeral '1' of the 1st Infantry Regiment .
The M1884 kepi was the form of headdress worn by French troops at the outset of the First World War & was not made obsolete until introduction of the horizon blue uniform that came into general service in 1915. The 1884 kepi was standard throughout the French army, differing only in the colour that defined the arm of service. Infantry regiments were further identified by the red numbers attached to the front of the cap.
This wonderful example has all the hallmarks of a private purchase piece with a full leather interior lining over the linen, double dark blue braid & higher quality leather chinstrap originally intended more for best dress rather than field wear. The '1' numeral to the front is quite clearly 100% originally period sewn as is evidenced by the buildup of dirt around it & the wear & weathering correlation to the band beneath it. The whole Kepi has remained remarkably intact with the fine red cloth showing only minimal wear to the nap of the cloth around the top edge & a minimal amount of surface only tracking to top.
A fabulous piece of French infantry history as was being worn at the early battles of 1914.

The French 1st Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest regiments in French active service & has battle honours for Guise-St.Quentin 1914 , Verdun-L'Yser 1916-17 & The Somme 1916 .

Code: 9800