Forum PAGES 14-18

Bonjour,

may I please ask for assistance regarding the Képi of the infantry sergent-major in 1914?

The Képi is shown in "L'Armée Française de 1914 d'août à décembre" by André Jouineau as having what appears to be gold piping (Cordonnet ou soutache) on the crown and above the bandeau.

I cannot however, find any reference to this in either the order of 30 October 1884 introducing the new model Képi or in the work of Galot and Robert - "les uniformes de l'armee-francaise 1872-1914".

So my questions:

Have I missed somthing?

Is Monsieur Jouineau in error and the piping should be dark blue?

Or was this piping introduced sometime between 1884 and 1914?

Many thanks

cordialement
Glenn

Bonjour

As you can see on this photo of 1912, there is no gold piping above the bandeau.

Another one in 1915 :

Bonjour Jean,

many thanks for your reply and the attached photographs. It does appear that the illustration in the book is at fault and that the piping was introduced for the professional non-commissioned officers after the war.

cordialement
Glenn