United States. A Rare La Fayette Escadrille Side Cap, C.1916

A rare suriving example from this legendary unit fabricated from a fine brownish-green wool, with fold down flaps also in forest green wool on either side, the left side flap folding around the front and sewn in place to the right side flap. Two badges are affixed to the left side at the front, one in silver illustrating a stork carrying a ribbon banner inscribed "Nous Reviendrons", the reverse with a pinback, the other badge in silver with red, white and blue enamels, the obverse illustrating a stylized bird upon a rondel inscribed "LES AILES MUTILÉES", while the reverse is maker marked "A. AUGIS LYON" and has a screwback. The interior is lined in a maroon rayon/silk blend, the 28 mm wide sweatband in a moisture-resistant cinnamon brown cloth with a hessian fabric backer. The cap measures 265 mm (w) x 140 mm (h), with two minor interruptions in the wool fabric on the left side on the exterior, the interior exhibiting fraying and wear in the lining on both sides near the sweatband. Better than very fine.

Footnote: The La Fayette Escadrille was a U.S. unit constituted in 1916 under French command, made up of volunteers who came forward to fight for France during the First World War. The "Escadrille of the Aéronautique Militaire" (Squadron of the Military Aeronautics) was composed largely of American volunteer pilots flying fighters. It was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolutionary War.