After the reforms of 1866-67 the French Line Infantry normally wore the long coat in the field, sometimes with epaulettes outside the coat. The long coat, or "capote," was of lightish blue, setting off madder red (almost maroon) trousers, cap (trimmed blue), and bright red epaulettes. The collar tab of madder red, carried a blue regimental number. Buttons were of gold.

Field equipment consisted of a tan-off white tent, brown tent pole segments tipped white metal, tan gaiters, haversacks, etc. Canteen is shown blue with brown strap in some contemporary paintings-and the bayonet scabbard, apparently, white metal. (I had always heard black myself.)

Zouaves are normally shown with dark blue coats and vests trimmed red, with red sash crossed by a black belt, and red trousers and fez (sometimes circled by a turban.) An illustration of the remnants of the I st Zouaves retreating from Woerth, however, shows white trousers and blue sash.

Turcos, or native Algerian light infantry, are normally depicted in white trousers and shirts with light blue vest (trimmed yellow) and sash.

Chasseurs a Pied (theoretically the equivalent of Jagers) wore dark blue coat, light blue trousers, dark blue cap, all trimmed yellow, sash, when worn, of light blue, epaulettes green with yellow crescent.

Grenadiers of the guard are shown in "L'Invasion," a roughly contemporary source, with white waist belt, gold buckle, helmet shield, and buttons, white lace and cuff tabs, white lace on jacket. Capote, when worn, was dark blue, like the tunic, collar and epaulettes red, stripes on front and tails of tunic red.

Other Franco-Prussian War

French Infantry Uniforms 1870
The Cuirassiers of Prussia 1870-71
French and Prussian Armies 1870