Vintage French Army Bousquet Marseille beige paratrooper beret

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This military beret, shown in the photo, is an old model in beige, typical of French Army paratrooper units. It features a classic, flexible round cut, with a reinforced headband made from an inner brown leather-look band, sewn all around the opening. The inner surface shows white structural topstitching and a matching flat drawstring, allowing for adjustment.

The outer fabric displays a uniform beige hue, with a clearly visible plain weave structure and a slight patina of use, characteristic of old military equipment. On the inner lining, the black marking "Bousquet Marseille" is clearly visible, indicating the manufacturer, as well as the size "57" and the number "1" stamped in ink. This type of marking is typical of French regulatory productions from the mid-20th century.

The internal seams are visible and robust, confirming manufacturing designed for durability in a military context. The headband shows some visible signs of wear, particularly on the leather and drawstring, which attest to active use. No insignia or badge is visible on the inner side photographed.

This beret stands out for its simple and functional finish, adapted to field requirements. Its overall appearance, combined with the mention "paratrooper" in the keywords, corresponds to the standards of French airborne troops, often recognizable by this light color and type of construction.

The presence of the "Bousquet Marseille" marking reinforces the authenticity of the piece, this manufacturer being historically recognized for supplying military headwear to the French army. The adjustable drawstring and quilted lining are characteristic details of these period productions.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. There are signs of use, a visible patina on the outer fabric and inner band, as well as slight marks on the drawstring. The markings remain legible, and the item as a whole retains good structural integrity.

Did you know? French Army paratrooper berets, especially those produced in Marseille by Bousquet, were widely used after World War II and during the conflicts in Indochina and Algeria. The beige color is specific to certain regiments, notably the Foreign Legion and other airborne units operating in hot regions.

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