Optional Uniform/Equipment Items

1. les Demi-Supports & les Piquets (Half-Supports & Stakes) - Model 1908 half-supports (2) and stakes (3), nick-named "sardines," for use in constructing a tent or shelter.
2. la Peau de Mouton (Sheepskin jerkin) - Distributed as a cold weather garment, they were worn poncho-like with a hole cut in the center for the head. Twine or cotton twill ribbon was wrapped around the waist and/or chest to secure the skin. Not every soldier received a sheep skin. Those who did not were given knitted garments.
3. le Tricot (Knitted Garment) - Knitted garments such as coats and pull-overs were distributed by the army and received from home and from charitable associations. Other items given out were scarves, mittens and gloves, balaclavas, beanies and warmers for the stomach, legs and arms.
4. le Couteau/Poignard de Tranchée (Trench Knife/Dagger) - There were many models of regulation knives and daggers distributed to "trench cleaners." Two popular models were the Boucher ("Butcher") knife and the Revanche de 1870 ("1870 Revenge") knife. Also issued were regulation daggers, no.s 1-6. However, soldiers often made their own daggers.
5. la Casse-Tête ("Head-Breaker") - Trench clubs were nearly all artisanal-made. Most often they were composed of a simple wooden club usually adorned with hobnails or spikes. Iron or steel rods, altered mechanics tools and even sharpened e-tools like shovels were also employed.