Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of a genuine World War I M-1915 French Army "Adrian" steel helmet The front of the helmet still has its original French "Flaming Bomb" badge. The badge has the standard R F on the "bomb", for Republique Francaise. This is the badge used on standard Infantry issue helmets. Of interest is that the original owner of this helmet painted on the flaming bomb device with “ARP” on the flame portion of the badge, and “RC” on the bomb portion. We have not been able to determine what the meaning of these markings are. Usually "ARP" would be for British "Air Raid Precautions" air warden troops, but that doesn't really make sense in this case. There is also the name COLLIN P scratched into the paint under the front brim. We checked inside the helmet, and there are signs of the front badge having been replaced, but it was long ago. There is definitely some good research potential here!
The 1st Pattern leather liner is present, and in excellent condition. The helmet does still have a chin strap, which unfortunately is half missing. Overall condition is excellent considering the age. Interior and exterior of the helmet exhibits excellent original “Horizon Blue” Paint. If you were looking for a nice example of a early WWI French Adrian Helmet to fill out your WWI collection, this is a great chance!
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.
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