Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. This is a lovely trio of items carried by a French soldier only known to us as Sergent d'état-Major (Staff Sergeant) Dubreuil. We believe the unit marking for him to read as Groupement A.E.O which could be for an Aero Squadron.

During World War I, France was one of the Triple Entente powers allied against the Central Powers. Although fighting occurred worldwide, the bulk of the conflict in Europe occurred in Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Alsace-Lorraine along what came to be known as the Western Front, which consisted mainly of trench warfare. Specific operational, tactical, and strategic decisions by the high command on both sides of the conflict led to shifts in organizational capacity, as the French Army tried to respond to day-to-day fighting and long-term strategic and operational agendas. In particular, many problems caused the French high command to re-evaluate standard procedures, revise its command structures, re-equip the army, and to develop different tactical approaches.

The Items In This Grouping”
- Model 1893 l'Havresac: The M.1893/14 knapsack is made of unpainted canvas around a wooden frame and is offered in wonderful, field used condition. The front flap of the pack is marked with his rank, name and what appears to be a unit marking but we are unsure. The canvas does have staining to it but nothing that retracts from the beauty of the item. All leather straps and buckles appear to be present and in functional order, but as with all leather of this era, it is cracked and in a rather delicate state.

- Model 1892 Lebel Revolver Leather Clamshell Holster with Cross Strap: These are getting exceptionally hard to find as of late. Many simply have not survived the two world wars, and the following conflicts the French have been involved with in between and beyond.

The Model 1892 Revolver was a mainstay of the French Army during WWI, and was a standard issued item to French Officer’s, NCOs, and other positions which did not necessitate the issuance of a rifle or carbine.

The holster is in good condition for its age. The cross belt is intact, not ripped or broken, and still supple to some degree. The holster itself is supple. Closure holes are intact and not ripped. Internal ammunition pouch is present but the individual loops are missing. There is some crazing to the leather and areas of dryness, but overall this is in very good condition considering the age. The leather still retains a pleasing russet coloration to the leather. The interior of the clamshell is marked with the same rank, name and similar looking unit information as the pack, but it is extremely faded and barely legible.

- French Boot Brush: The brush is in wonderful condition but is missing a few areas of bristles. This could have either been used as a uniform brush or a boot brush.

- x8 Coins: The coins are (7) 25 Centimes from Morocco and (1) 50 Francs Coin also from Morocco. The French protectorate in Morocco, also known as French Morocco, was the period of French colonial rule in Morocco between 1912 and 1956. The protectorate was officially established 30 March 1912, when Sultan Abd al-Hafid signed the Treaty of Fez, though the French military occupation of Morocco had begun with the invasion of Oujda and the bombardment of Casablanca in 1907.

A wonderful trio of items ready for further research and display.