Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of a genuine World War I M1915 French Army "Adrian" steel helmet shell. The helmet retains the original "dark horizon blue" paint on both the interior and exterior, with 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). This example has a badge which has had its color stripped, which was often done by soldiers post-war to make their specific unit more apparent. This example has a very scarce NAMED veteran’s plate, which is very difficult to find. This extremely scarce helmet retains its original liner and chinstrap which are in great shape.

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).

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. The paint is roughly 80% retained. The leather chin strap shows signs of wear and age, but is still intact, although it is not sat upon the brim of the helmet as if often seen.

The 1914-1918 Veteran’s plate has been inserted directly onto the visor of the helmet, and the prongs are visible on the underside in three spots as shown, with oxidation around the holes confirming that it has been on this helmet for a very long time. The plate is named to MATUCHET ADJUDANT CHEF, and reads SOLDAT DE LA GRANDE GUERRE 1914 - 1918. There is heavy wear on the plate concurrent with the rest of the helmet, with some spots where the original gilt finish peeks out.

This is a phenomenal example of a very rare WWI M1915 Adrian helmet. This is one of the rarest helmet badges to find on a First World War helmet, and one that we have only offered a handful of times before. This helmet comes ready for further research and display!

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.