Original Item: Only One Available. This is a blue wool French World War One officer overseas side cap. We believe the three stripes on the front indicate the rank of major. The cap is lined on the interior with cotton. Size is approximately a US 7 (56cm). The front of the cap bears a bugle horn insignia and RF.
This horn is the insignia of Mountain Infantry called the Chasseurs alpine (alpine hunters). Chasseur is the French term for “hunter”, and was originally used to designate light infantry and cavalry units that were trained for rapid action in combat, beginning in 1743. They were considered elite units, and had more specialized tasks than the standard infantry. They could deploy quickly as advance scouts in times of need. By WWI, they were divided into the chasseurs à pied (hunters on foot) and chasseurs alpine (alpine hunters).
Overall condition is good with areas of moth and soiling. This is an exceptionally rare Great War side cap as used by an officer of the French Chasseurs!