1942 dated sidecap with ‘Free French’ badge and feather hackle...

[Farkas]

Hi Gents

i bought a couple of side caps the other day. It included this.

It was described as a ‘Free French’ cap.

i was wondering if anyone has seen anything similar to this combination?

In particular, please, Is the red feather hackle a known ‘thing’?

im happy the cap is a US issue side cap, dated 1942.

I’ve seen another which was issued to a US nurse.

the badge is pin backed with no maker mark. 

The hackle is well secured , not just tucked in. I think it is reinforced with wire below the seam.

Also a small label (below) has been roughly attached.

 

Ive not found the same design of badge but there are many similar.

So....

Any thoughts welcome please Gents...

cheers

tony

[Bayern]

Hello tony, USA made and supplied. thats clear but which Free French unit ? please, what colour is the piping? in the pics its not very clear.the Free Frenchs after the landings in North Africa begins to be supplied with USA made uniforms.the sidecaps were  the most french item of uniform . and of a great variety.

[Farkas]

Hi Bayern

18 hours ago, Bayern said:

Hello tony, USA made and supplied. thats clear but which Free French unit ? please, what colour is the piping? in the pics its not very clear.the Free Frenchs after the landings in North Africa begins to be supplied with USA made uniforms.the sidecaps were  the most french item of uniform . and of a great variety.

my first inclination was it is ‘burgundy’ in colour but now you ask I’d say perhaps deep purple

i would also say the cap itself is a very, very dark blue,  not quite black...

Thanks Bayern

tony

[Bayern]

Tony ,Dark blue near black was current before the war, inclusive in officers and NCOs kepis.the sidecaps post 1942 tended to represent the arm or branch of service as exactly as the old kepi. the burgundy red piping on a blue body could belongs to a medical of the colonial infantry.