Just a moment, thank you!
French F2 "Bigeard" cap, surplus
The beloved Bigeard, one of history's coolest military headpieces ever made with the two-prong "swallowtail" protecting the neck. Made in France!
Loading products...
Request restock notification
Add to cart
First select a product
Just a moment, thank you!
Add to wish list
Reviews (27 pcs)
Share on Facebook
The beloved Bigeard, one of history's coolest military headpieces ever made with the two-prong "swallowtail" protecting the neck. Made in France!
Known as the Bigeard in France, after it's creator Marcel Bigeard, an officer in the (among others) the war in Indochina. Since then many armies have copied the design, known as the "swallowtail cap" in English or "Kiko" in Portuguese. From it's roots in Indochina the Bigeard has moved far and wide, the style was one of the most copied designs in the many little wars that tore through Africa in the late 1900's.
Sometimes we get these without the neck flap. These are always sold separately.
Pro-Tip: Apart from being quite a cool design, the cut is also quite simple. If you're into DIY and sewing, cut one of these apart, use the pieces as templates and recreate this legendary piece in your own favourite colour or camo pattern!
Size
Sized according to head circumference in centimetres or inches. For a classic Portuguese playfool look, choose one size smaller than you usually wear, or if you want to look more serious, just pick our correct size.
Genuine army surplus
Unissued military surplus, in perfect condition. Most of these are made during this millennium.
Recommendations
Loading products...
Reviews
You have already submitted a review. You can edit your text by clicking on it. You can filter the reviews by clicking on the elements of the summary.
Log in and write a review. You can filter the reviews by clicking on the elements of the summary.
recommends
does not recommend
27 ratings
Suomi (7)
English (20)
vesa s. 12.08.2016 ⚠ Unverified purchase
1
Ignacio N. 11.08.2017 Verified purchase
0
Scott S. 11.12.2017 Verified purchase
12
Christian H. 16.12.2017 Verified purchase
3
R R. 05.03.2018 ⚠ Unverified purchase
0
darryl b. 09.03.2018 Verified purchase
0
Justin A. 17.04.2018 Verified purchase
0
Magnus C. 20.04.2018 Verified purchase
1
Yxaël C. 28.07.2018 Verified purchase
5
Comments
Comment this or discuss with other Varusteleka regular users. If you wish to ask us anything, please click on the message button on the right side of the page. You can also send us email or call us! Log in and join the conversation.
While the caps were below my size, they fit tight to the skull and ride high. I suppose the correct size would arrive precisely to the root of my ear, but one size below leaves a comfortable 1/3" gap for the temples of my glasses.
The visor comes sharply down over your eyes allowing you to look in the Sun's direction while shading your eyes and minimally obstructing your vision (particularly your peripheral vision).
The caps give you an isosceles trapezoid silhouette, so be aware how that fits your face shape (or your historical prejudices).
As the caps ride so high, the flap ends up covering just your hair and not really your neck (as a proper legionnaire's hat would).
Because the flap flares out below the rim of the cap, if you tuck it inside the cap you'll never achieve a neat appearance, as the edges will stick out. But you'll get some padding on the back of your head (useful if riding in an APC).
The flap version of the cap was unlined, with two layers of fabric used for the flap and the visor, making it light/flimsy and flexible.
While the non-flap version was lined with properly tailored (seams in the space between fabrics) striped jacquard olive green fabric. So you could conceivably wear the cap inside out if you wanted a non-camo look (unfortunately, the visor and rim would still be in camo, and you better cut the label off).
The visor is stiffer, made of four layers of fabric. Also it's 1/2" smaller than the flap version while having more stitches (11 vs 10). But it's steeper than the flap version, so it actually gives better eye sun shade with less visual obstruction. The edge of the visor is properly turned, while in the flap version it's just sewn on.
The outside fabric is heavier than the liner fabric, and they are both heavier than the flap version fabric.
The cap rim is double stitched (as opposed to the single stitching in the flap version).
So the lightness of the flap version will be appreciated on hot summer days, and it encourages a more playful wear of the cap.
While the fitted tailoring of the non-flap version makes you want to ram it tightly onto your head, pull the visor close to your nose and headbutt anybody who gives you a weird look (or a snide comment about French couture). Plus it will keep you cosy on colder days.
Please report this text if for example:
If you strongly disagree with this text, please press thumb down button.
Thank you!
Cancel