Model49 bush hat

[Legion Etrangere]

Ok guys,

What say you:

cgi.ebay.fr/REPRODUCTION-CHAPEAU-DE-BROUSSE-Mle-1949-Sable-T61_W0QQitemZ360291565097QQihZ023QQcategoryZ142563QQcmdZViewItem

[cookie]

I've had one of these from him a few months ago. the photo doesn't do it justice. The price has gone up by a few euros though, still worth the money. the colour and materials arre good and the pattern is more accurate than some other repros out at the minute. It also looks quite weathered to start with and can be easily 'moulded' into shape by wetting the crown and brim in warm water - see the Tu Le photos I put up. The infantry guy with the brim down 'cowboy' style is wearing one if these.

Worth a purchase.

[hoover]

I have one of these reproductions because my orignal hat doesn´t fit me.
It is okay. I like the hat.

[savoy6]

so i should go with the khaki one instead of the OD one they have?

[Legion Etrangere]

savoy6,

I would stick with the tan canvas bush hat. This was the main item used by the CEFEO during the war. There are different versions of the Mle 49 but this is the best one to get. Remember, you can also use the Israeli bushhats that are Mle 49 ... just remmeber to remove the Hebrew stamp on the top of the brim (my Mle 49 is French but was sent to Israel and has an Israeli stamp that has been removed).

It's odd really. The last TWO Mle 49 bush hats I have seen were on two homeless guys in Los Angeles last year! I asked both of them to sell them and they wouldn't! They were given them by a gentleman who bought them at a local surplus shop for $5! What luck!

[savoy6]

is it still a common issue FFL item?...i only ask because i saw a youtube video of some FFL ops in chad/djibuti(sic) with FFL guys wearing what looks like khaki Mle 49...or is it just a private purchase item at this point that command allows for tradition..?

[hoover]

The bush hat was still in use in Algeria, I can´t remember pics of later use.

[Legion Etrangere]

What would make an interesting list would be all the items that were used in Indochina and then carried over and used during the Algerian War. It would be interesting to see what the French kept and got rid of.

[cookie]

Pretty much everything of French origin that was used in Indochina was still in use throughout the Algerian war. The classic Mle 47 suit in it's various patterns, the Mle 51 helmet, Pataugas boots, the chapeau de brouss (in tan & OD), all of the weapons (MAS, MAT49, FM etc).
Some of the older, WWII and earlier kit was issued to Harki's and other irregular forces in Algeria, much as had happened with T'ai and other tribal units in Indochina.
I would say the two notable exceptions of kit used in Algeria and NOT Indochina would be the Mle 46 leather webbing and the MAS 36/51 rifle. These were both in use during the Indochina war but are rarely, if ever, seen in photos from that conflict. Strange.

[Formateur]

I work as a us contractor advising African armies for UN operations, and currently in Rep of Guinea, I have seen a few M49s in OD being worn by Guinean army here. I examined each closely, and they are the real thing. I asked to buy, but in their army, the M49 is a big status symbol. The weaeers said that they earned it by completing the French army jungle course.

[lew]

Very interesting insight, Formateur. If you don't mind sharing, in which part of the country are you working?

[Jacques]

Hey everyone, do any of you own or know about the quality of the WPG repro of the M49 bush hat?

-jacques

[craigtx]

I have one of their M49s in RBS and the construction is correct, and looks to be very well made. Just like I would expect from any of WPG's kit.