Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original French WWI-era miniature Model 1915 Adrian helmet inkwell, constructed in the form of the iconic French steel combat helmet and retaining both its small leather chinstrap and original interior inkpot. Complete examples of this type are considerably more desirable than empty helmet-form inkwells, and this one also shows clear evidence of actual period use.

We offered one similar example several years ago, but it was in rough condition and empty. This example is not only complete with the small leather chinstrap stretched taut over the front brim, but it retains the original interior “inkpot” which would hold the ink, and it has an integral latched lid that can be opened by pulling back the tab and lifting the lid. There is heavy ink residue to the interior, so this example saw heavy use, likely by a French soldier attempting to return to a civilian occupation.

The base of the inkwell measures 3 x 3 ¼”, and it is roughly 2” tall, the perfect size for your desk in the office or at home. The inkwell is opened by pulling up the body of the helmet. The inkwell retains its paint and has a really great look.

The original Model 1915 Adrian helmet was introduced by France during WWI in response to the growing number of head wounds caused by shell fragments and battlefield debris. Its distinctive form quickly became one of the most recognizable symbols of the French soldier and was widely copied or adapted by other nations during and after the war.

The popularity and symbolic importance of the Adrian helmet led to its use in a wide variety of commemorative and decorative objects, including miniature desk pieces such as this inkwell. These items reflected both wartime patriotism and the enduring visual identity of the French soldier of the Great War.

The combination of the miniature M1915 Adrian form, retained leather chinstrap, original interior inkpot, functional latched lid, surviving paint, and heavy period ink residue makes this an especially appealing WWI desk artifact. Its compact size and completeness give it strong visual presence while preserving a direct connection to the material culture that developed around the French Army during and after the First World War.