Secondary Uniform Items

1. le Bonnet de Police (Garrison Bonnet) - Model 1891/15. Off-duty headware. Horizon-Blue, wool. Also referred to as the calot (cap). The M1918 "Empire style" is also permitted.
2. la Vareuse (Jacket) - Model 1914/15, type 2. Horizon-Blue; wool. With two waist pockets. It was usually only worn in cold weather under the greatcoat at the front, or while on rest at the rear. Otherwise, it was carried in the pack.

Secondary Equipment Items:

1. le Masque à Gaz (Gas Mask) - Model M2 or ARS-17. First issued in spring 1916 and produced through 1918, was used until late-autumn of 1917. At this time, the model ARS-17 began distribution and in 1918 became the primary mask worn, w/ the M2 kept by soldiers as a reserve. The M2 was to be carried in a rectangular tin can. When at the alert, it was placed in a canvas haversack worn around the neck. The ARS-17 was issued with a fluted cylindrical canister, which was worn bandolier style.
2. la Toile de Tente (Tent Canvas) - Model 1897/14. (Without center head-hole). Impermeable cotton canvas, various shades of beige or cachou in color (160 cm sq., 1.5 lbs). Sewn onto one side of the tent canvas were either canvas loops or small metal rings permitting it to be worn as a poncho by passing two cords (one at the neck, 1.10 m, one at the waist, 2.20 m) through the loops/rings. The tent canvas did not begin to be distributed until the end of Sept./Oct. 1914. Three sides had metal buttons (normally stamped "Equipement Militaire") and eyelets, while the fourth side was fitted with three pairs of eyelets. For waterproofing, the fabric was treated with a combination of paraffin and alcohol thinner prior to assembly (source). Frequently worn in assault-roll fashions, its other uses included personal shelter, stretcher and burial shroud. When on the pack, it was often rolled around the blanket.
3. la Demi-Couverture (Half-Blanket) - Wool, various shades of brown (115 cm x 175 cm, 3.4 lbs). Officially called the 'petite couverture de campement', more simply it was called the couvre-pied ("foot-cover"). Embroidered in yellow stitching with 'Campement' or simply the initials 'CM,' the year of issue, the factory number and the manufacturer's initials. Some blankets had dark brown stripes running down the sides.
4. l'Havresac (Knapsack) - Model 1893/14. Unpainted canvas in various shades of tan and olive green (late-war). Interior wooden frame (32.5 cm x 26.5 cm) made of thin planks, 8 mm in width total. There were six removable straps that attached to the pack via metal loops and buckles: two courroies de capote ("greatcoat straps" -- 75 cm x 5 cm) fixed onto the top of the pack (one on each side); two courroies de côté ("side straps" -- 52 cm x 5 cm) fixed onto the lower sides; one grande courroie de charge ("large load strap" - 1.72 m x 5 cm) that ran along the center; and one courroie de sautoir ("cross strap" -- 35 cm x 5 cm). The interior was reserved for the soldier's extra shirt, underdrawers and socks, the jacket when not in use, reserve rations and ammo, toiletries, cleaning items and personal papers.
5. l'Outil Portatif (Portable E-Tool) - Each soldier was issued one or more of the following: Spade-shovel, pick, shovel-pick, shovel (model 1916), hatchet (corporals), billhook, wire-cutters, or articulated saw. For specific distribution, see the e-tools distribution page.
6. les Ustensiles de Campement (Squad Camping Implements) - Each soldier was issued one or more of the following: Camp mess-tin (a.k.a. "dish-for-four"), camp stew-pot (a.k.a. "bottle"), canvas bucket, distribution bag, model 1896 Klepper coffee grinder or model 1910 Montjardet camping lantern (corporals). For specific distribution, see the camping impliments distribution page.