I picked up this Algerian War period French Airborne coloniaux maroon beret at an insignia show last weekend. I wanted it because of these file cuts along half the perimeter of the beret badge. I've seen this once before on a French winged dagger beret badge of the type worn by the French Foreign Legion paratroopers. I thought maybe these cuts referred to combat jumps (16 to 17?) but the same photos were sent to a collector and former paratrooper in France who doesn't know what they signify but they are not for combat jumps. The beret badge is missing the loops on the back and sewn directly to the beret. The manufacture of the beret badge is Coinderoux. Does anyone know what these cuts were for?
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