Common Stamps and Markings
Cachet de la Commission de Réception ("Receiving Commission")
Around the circumference is the army corps/military region that the article is issued to, in this case the 17e Corps ("17th Corps"), which was based in Toulouse. Also, in the circumference, Commission de Réception ("Receiving Commission"). The left and right flanking boxes denote, respectively, the army corps region (A) and region subdivision (A) in which the article is made. The inside boxes denote the date of issue. The top two boxes are the day (14) and month (8), respectively, and the bottom box is the year (1896). In this case then the issue date is August 14, 1896.
The size of the stamp is 5 cm in width and 3 cm in height. This stamp is very common and can be normally found on greatcoats, trousers, jackets, under clothing, knapsacks and cartridge boxes, among other things.
Cachet de fournisseur ("Manufacturer's Stamp")
On the top of the outside loop is the manufacturer's name, in this case Froment. On the bottom is the military region the article was produced in. Here, the region is Besançon. The top two inner compartments denote the date of make. The top left is the month of make (2) and the top right, the year(96). Thus, 2/96 or February 1896. The bottom two compartments indicate the receiving commission's serial number, in this case C 12. Alternately, the serial may be composed entirely of numbers with no letters.
The size of the stamp is roughly 6 cm in diameter. This stamp is normally found on uniforms, including greatcoats, trousers and jackets .
Cachets de la Taille ("Size Stamps")
Greatcoat:
In the top half of the stamp is the size type (E) of the article and the (army corps) region's subdivision (3). In the bottom half of the stamp are the measurements (in centimeters) of the coat. The first is the shoulder width (114), the second is the chest width (96) and the third is the sleeve length (92).
Trousers:
In the top half of the stamp is the length type, expressed in letters (A-I). This is the measurement of the outter seam, from the waist to the cuff. The number next to it is the waist measurement, expressed in numbers (1-5). In this case, the seam length and waist is: (F 5). In the bottom half of the stamp are the measurements (in centimeters) of the trousers. The first is for the hips (77) and the second for the waist (82).
The size of the stamp is 10 cm in width and 4 cm in height. As indicted above, the top stamp is found on greatcoats, the bottom one on trousers (or culottes).
Cachet d'Expert ("Inspector's Stamp")
On the top is the inspector's serial number, in this case 17. On the bottom is the inspector's serial letter, in this case M.
The size of the stamp is roughly 1.5 cm in diameter. This stamp is normally found on uniforms, including trousers, greatcoats and jackets.
Marquage du Régiment ("Regiment Marking")
This stamp showed the regiment's number and type (e.g., line, reserve, territorial, etc.). In lieu of a cast stamp, a soldier might inscribe the number and type himself using a pen. In the case here, it is the 151e de L[igne] or the 151e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne ("151st Line Infantry Regiment").
The size (especially the length) of the stamp differed depending on the regiment's number and the style of the stamp. Two slightly different styles are shown above. It is normally between 3-4 cm in height. This stamp was very common and can be normally found on greatcoats, trousers, jackets, under clothing and knapsacks, among other things.
Marquage du Numéro Matricule du Soldat ("Soldier's Serial Number Marking")
This stamp shows the soldier's personal serial (matriculation) number and is often composed of three or four digits. Note: this is different from the soldier's personal recruitment number. In lieu of a stamp cast, a soldier might inscribe the number himself using a pen. In this case, the soldier's number is 3506.
The size (especially the length) of this stamp differed. It is normally between 2-3 cm in height. The stamp was very common and can be found on all uniform items and equipment, including small items such as socks, wash towels and ration and utility baggies.
