What the deal with this button?

[NorthCentral MN TreasureSeeker]

Anyone know what's up with this button? Normally I wouldn't have posted it. I found one several years back and after seeing spelling (MILITAIRES EQUIPEMENTS), I have figured it to be French. But after I found a second one 2 days ago , which is bigger than the first one (13/16"), I decided to inquire about it here. Any idea on it's history? (early French Canadian Military?)

 

[Steve(Can)]

[No message]

 

[NorthCentral MN TreasureSeeker]

Thanks Steve!
Being both of the buttons I have were found in Minnesota, one tends to wonder how they got here in the first place, (US Immigrants, railroad workers?) If the things we find underground could only talk - the stories they could tell... Thanks again!

 

[Steve(Can)]

...from what i have seen, these bags were used by the French in WWI, each soldier carrying two. They are a handy little bag, a style that was adopted by the US army for WWII

Possibly gifts from French soldiers? Recovered from the battle field and used by individual US soldiers? Brought back state side at the end of the War and then adopted as US standard issue for WWII?

Just speculation, NC/MN Yes, if these things could only talk!