Secondary Uniform Items


  1. le Képi (Kepi) - Model 1914. Service cap. Horizon-Blue, wool. Sight variations in shape.
  2. la Vareuse (Jacket) - Model 1914/15, type 2. Horizon-Blue; wool. With two waist pockets. It was usually only worn in cold weather under the greatcoat at the front, or while on rest at the rear. Otherwise, it was carried in the pack.

Secondary Equipment Items:

  1. le Masque à Gaz (Gas Mask) - Model M2 or ARS-17. First issued in spring 1916 and produced through 1918, was used until late-autumn of 1917. At this time, the model ARS-17 began distribution and in 1918 became the primary mask worn, w/ the M2 kept by soldiers as a reserve. The M2 was carried in either a canvas pouch or rectangular tin can. The ARS-17 was issued with a fluted cylindrical canister.
  2. la Toile de Tente (Tent Canvas) - Model 1897/14. (Without center head-hole). Impermeable cotton canvas, beige in color (5' 2" x 5' 2": 1.5 lbs). Worn in various shoulder-role fashions, its importance cannot be underestimated. It had many uses: as personal shelter, poncho or cape, stretcher and burial shroud. When on the pack, it was often rolled around the blanket. In late-war, it was often made into an assault roll covering over the blanket which held small equipment and provisions.
  3. la Demi-Couverture (Half-Blanket) - Wool, various shades of brown (5' 7" x 3' 8": 3.4 lbs). Officially called the 'petite couverture de campement', more simply it was called the couvre-pied ("foot-cover"). Embroidered in yellow stitching with 'Campement' or simply the initials 'CM,' the year of issue, the factory number and the manufacturer's initials. Some blankets had dark brown stripes running down the sides.
  4. l'Havresac (Knapsack) - Model 1893/14. The sac was given many nick-names, including Azor and as (de carreau) ("ace of diamonds"). Unpainted canvas. Various shades of mustard, tan and brown. There were six removable straps that attached to the pack via metal loops and buckles: two courroies de capote ("greatcoat straps" -- 75 cm x 5 cm) fixed onto the top of the pack (one on each side); two courroies de côté ("side straps" -- 52 cm x 5 cm) fixed onto the lower sides; one grande courroie de charge ("large load strap" - 1.72 m x 5 cm) that ran along the center; and one courroie de sautoir ("cross strap" -- 35 cm x 5 cm). The interior was reserved for the soldier's extra shirt, underdrawers and socks, the jacket when not in use, reserve rations and ammo, toiletries, cleaning items and personal papers.

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