A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes".
The word gendarme comes from Old French gens d'armes, meaning men-at-arms. Historically, during the Late Medieval to the Early Modern period, the term referred to a heavily armoured cavalryman of noble birth, primarily serving in the French army. The word gained policing connotations after the French Revolution when the Maréchaussée of the Ancien Régime was renamed the Gendarmerie.
Belgium, Luxembourg and Austria had gendarmeries through Napoleonic influence, but all these gendarmeries have merged with the civil police, in 2001, 2002 and 2005 respectively. Many former French colonies, especially in Africa, also have gendarmeries.
Source from Wikipedia.
Some pics of the Gendarmerie,
The Gendarmerie of the past with their BMWs.
The Gendarmerie group pic
Different era...
I have recently purchase this Belgian Gendarmerie backpack from Le Magasin. It is said to be from the 1950s.
Upon receiving, I was both amazed and fascinated by its good condition.
For togo rope
For holding water bottle
Buckle and Strap
Leather and Brass Pin
I have been looking at this detail for a long time but still not figure out why one side is secured and the other side is removable. Well, it is still a special feature.
Leather is still good, even with peeling signs.
The code
Code and close up of the fabric
The fit