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Landships II -> Landships WW1 Forum -> On the Great War in general -> When did the French abandon the epaulettes?
Post Info TOPIC: When did the French abandon the epaulettes?
Pat


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When did the French abandon the epaulettes?
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Would any French infantry troops wear epaulettes in combat during WW1, or were they abandoned before?

So far I have only found images of cuirassiers with them. Thanks in advance, Pat



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James H


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The epaulettes went when the blue (gris de fer bleuté) uniform was replaced by Horizon Blue. There's a pic of the changes in the Cuirassiers' uniform here: http://63528.activeboard.com/t14154961/mystery-uniform-french/



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Pat


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Thanks James. I thought so, too. But when I look at early war images (including those in Osprey's "The French Poilu"), the soldiers are clearly wearing dark blue uniforms - albeit without epaulettes. I was unable to detect a single epaulette wearing fellow except for the cuirassier.

I discovered the latter in the thread you were kindly linking to, so thanks for that as well. Regards, Pat



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Ironsides


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Hi Pat provision seems there on early and some mid war capotes, the later double breasted and some interim examples dont have the provision for epaulettes...

early- provision for epaulettes

mid-Some  provision for epaulettes

late- no  provision for epaulettes

 

Cheerswink



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James H


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Sorry, got hold of the wrong end of the stick there.

In the Infantry, Artillery, etc, epaulettes were retained on the tunic and greatcoat for Full Dress and Walking-out Order, but discontinued for Campaign Order in, I think, 1877. It therefore seems probable, as Ironsides says, that there was provision on the 1877 greatcoat for epaulettes

Cuirassiers still wore epaulettes on the tunic at the outbreak. They didn't wear a greatcoat, but a cape (without epaulettes).

Beg pardon.



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Pat


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Thanks for clearing that up gentlemen. Regards, Pat



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Excelsior1


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They did have the single roll of fabric on their right (?) shoulder, and there were metal shoulder guards as well, designed to complement the helmet by protecting against shrapnel bursts.
Don't know if that's what you wanted to know about, though.

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Pat


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Thanks for that info, but I really was after actual epaulettes, such as worn throughout most of the 19th century.

The answers here helped me to understand finding epaulettes on a WW1 infantryman in action is totally unlikely.



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