Original Items: One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an outstanding French WWI Colonial Infantry officer display group consisting of a Major’s greatcoat with embroidered bullion anchor collar insignia and a private-purchase M1915 Adrian helmet fitted with a brass Colonial Infantry anchor badge and braided officer’s chinstrap.

The greatcoat is an especially attractive senior officer example with four gold rank stripes on each cuff, correctly indicating the rank of Major in the French Army. Period French rank regulations identified a Major by four gold cuff stripes, with five for Colonel, three for Captain, and two for Lieutenant.

The collar tabs retain beautifully embroidered gold bullion anchor insignia identifying the wearer with the French Colonial Infantry. The anchor had long been associated with France’s naval and colonial forces and was officially worn by the Colonial Infantry by the beginning of the 20th century.

The greatcoat closes at the front with six impressive braided leather buttons. These decorative buttons give the coat a distinctive private-purchase appearance and contrast nicely with the dark wool body and bright bullion insignia.

Included with the greatcoat is a folder from Bertrand Maivaux containing a certificate of authenticity for the coat. This documentation accompanies the group and adds useful provenance to the uniform itself.

The accompanying helmet is a private-purchase French M1915 Adrian made in the officer style. It retains a brass Colonial Infantry anchor badge at the front and an ornate braided leather chinstrap stretched tightly across the front brim.

Braided leather chinstraps were a popular private-purchase feature among French officers and senior noncommissioned officers who wanted a more refined appearance than the plain regulation leather strap. Comparable private-purchase Adrian helmets are documented with braided chinstraps and Colonial Infantry anchor badges.

The M1915 Adrian was introduced during WWI in response to the enormous number of head wounds caused by artillery fragments and falling debris. Its light stamped-steel construction, raised crest, and removable branch insignia became among the most recognizable features of the French soldier during the war.

The brass anchor badge identifies the helmet with the Colonial Infantry. The use of a privately fitted officer-type badge and braided chinstrap makes the helmet considerably more visually appealing than a standard enlisted example.

The helmet retains its original oilcloth liner, which is now very loose but still includes its original tie string. Beneath the liner is recycled horizon-blue wool used as padding material. This fabric shows extensive deterioration and loss, which is typical of the fragile recycled wool used in many original Adrian helmet liners.

The helmet shell, badge, liner, and chinstrap show expected age and service wear, but the overall appearance remains excellent. The taut braided chinstrap, brass anchor, and officer-quality construction give the helmet a particularly strong display profile.

The greatcoat and helmet were received together and create a convincing Colonial Infantry Major display. The certificate specifically documents the greatcoat, while no separate documentation accompanies the helmet or conclusively identifies both pieces to the same officer.

French Colonial Infantry units served throughout France’s overseas empire and also fought extensively on the Western Front during WWI. Their anchor insignia reflected the force’s historical connection to the French Navy and distinguished Colonial troops from the metropolitan infantry.

This is an exceptionally attractive French officer grouping, combining the rich bullion insignia and four-stripe rank of a Colonial Infantry Major with a scarce private-purchase Adrian helmet featuring the correct anchor badge and an ornate braided chinstrap. The documented greatcoat and well-matched helmet would form an impressive centerpiece in any advanced WWI French or Colonial troops collection.