Item Description
Original Grouping. One-of-a-Kind. This is a phenomenal French WWII uniform grouping to a Lieutenant in the French Field Artillery. This uniform dates to roughly 1940, and includes the officer’s tunic, breeches, red vest, greatcoat, Sam Browne Belt, Kepi, and M26 Helmet with a braided chinstrap.
The uniform includes the officer’s single-breasted tunic with seven brass Field Artillery buttons sewn to the front. The right cuff bears two stripes, indicating the rank of Lieutenant. The collar bears two red felt-backed Flaming bomb insignia with two black chevrons at the top, denoting a Lieutenant of Field Artillery. The interior of the tunic is well worn, with a still-clear maker’s tag bearing a French bird and reading:
AU TAILLEUR DE L’ALOUETTE
L. HERBAUT-DENNEULIN
62 RUE DE L'ALOUETTE
ROUBAIX
PARIS - 130. RUE LAFAYETTE
The tunic is in fair service-worn condition overall with some tears in the fabric and on the pockets, with light mothing overall. Also included is the officer’s Red Vest, which is correct for this model of uniform. The vest bears a staggering seventeen (17) small bras Field Artillery buttons on the front with a striped silk lining. The red of the vest is very well-aged and complements the uniform well. It is very difficult to find these uniform sets complete with the original vest.
The included helmet is a great M1926 Adrian helmet with a WWI-era Artillery helmet plate affixed to the front, which has certainly always been there. The brownish paint of the helmet has been well-retained with heavy wear commensurate with age. The helmet retains its original liner & gorgeous braided-leather chinstrap which denotes the wearer as an officer. The chinstrap is in great condition with the buckle still well-retained, the chinstrap sat upon the helmet’s brim. The liner is in similar great condition and is still very supple. This is one of the best M26 Adrian helmets we have had in its own right!
The included Kepi is a gorgeous private-purchase officer’s example which bears a maker’s stamp on the interior crown which is unfortunately too faded too fully read, but we can make out that the maker is in Bordeaux. The blue silk lining is well-retained as well as the sweatband, the stitching of which is partially intact. The front bears a gorgeous bullion flaming bomb insignia. The gold tape chinstrap is retained by the two small Field Artillery buttons on the sides of the cap. There are five gold bands around the circumference of the cap, which denotes the rank of Colonel. A tremendous kepi that presents well with the group.
The included breeches are of the same color as the tunic and are missing one of the crotch buttons. There isn’t much damage and the breeches complement the uniform well. The Sam Browne belt is also in good wearable condition and looks great with the uniform.
The greatcoat is enormous and still bears the six plain brass buttons at the front. The same collar insignia with now a green felt backing are present with the two chevrons at the top denoting Lieutenant. This coat originally had ribbons attached to the left breast, evident by the stitch loops still visible, but the ribbons are no longer present. There was a maker’s tag on the interior, now removed. The original tightening strap on the back is present but all the buttons are missing. A very nice greatcoat to complement the grouping.
This is a really phenomenal & complete WWII French Field Artillery officer’s grouping. French uniforms from this period are incredibly scarce, and this is the first true set we have been able to offer. Comes ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements
Tunic:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 12.5"
Chest width: 18.5”
Waist: 17"
Hip width: 19"
Front length: 31"
Greatcoat:
Collar to shoulder: 12"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 18"
Chest width: 24”
Waist: 27"
Hip width: 33"
Front length: 49"
Pants:
Waist: 17"
Inseam: 29"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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