Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of a genuine World War I M1915 French Army "Adrian" steel helmet. The helmet retains the original "dark horizon blue" paint on both the interior and exterior, though there is a slightly darker blue applied onto the exterior only, over the original paint. The helmet has the expected chipping and oxidation from age and use. The front of the helmet still has its original French "Hunting Horn" badge, with the standard R F on the center, for Republique Francaise. This horn is the insignia of Mountain Infantry called the Chasseurs alpine (alpine hunters).
Chasseur is the French term for "hunter", and was originally used to designate light infantry and cavalry units that were trained for rapid action in combat, beginning in 1743. They were considered elite units, and had more specialized tasks than the standard infantry. They could deploy quickly as advance scouts in times of need. By WWI, they were divided into the chasseurs à pied (hunters on foot) and chasseurs alpine (alpine hunters).
The leather liner is in good shape, with a broken original top tie, and the size size is probably around a 57-58cm, with the leather still supple. The original corrugated aluminum liner surround is still partly present, though the chin strap is completely missing.
Overall condition of the helmet is very good, with the expected patina of age. The shell shows some minor dings, scratches and paint wear consistent with age and long service. If you were looking for a great example of a rare Adrian helmet, this is it!
The M15 Adrian helmet (French: Casque Adrian) was a combat helmet issued to the French Army during World War I. It was the first standard helmet of the French Army and was designed when millions of French troops were engaged in trench warfare, and head wounds from the falling shrapnel generated by the new technique of indirect fire became a frequent cause of battlefield casualties. Introduced in 1915, it was the first modern steel helmet and it served as the basic helmet of many armies well into the 1930s. Initially issued to infantry soldiers, in modified form they were also issued to cavalry and tank crews. A subsequent version, the M26, was used during World War II.
