Original Item: Only One Available. Made prior to WWII, this is a black painted steel French “Adrian” style helmet, with a Civil Defense badge attached to the front. These helmets were issued before, during and after the fall of Belgium in 1940 to the NSDAPs. The helmet is in very good condition, with great paint, and an original liner and chin strap, which show little to no use. This looks to be a helmet that was not really “issued” during wartime, and was kept in storage. Liner size is approximately 58cm / 7 1/4.
A very nice example, ready to display!
This badge on this helmet identified the wearer as a member of the “Protection civile” (the equivalent of Civil defense) to help citizens when disaster struck (bombings, fire, floods, etc.) They were worn on uniforms, hats, caps and the pattern 1915 and 1931 Adrian helmets. The motto means something close to “he remains undaunted despite the ruins that fall around him.”, which tallies with their mission.
The badge shows the Belgian Royal Crown over Germanic Medieval Warrior holding a shield with the Belgian Rampant Lion Crest. An interesting remembrance from sadder times for a small country that showed such bravery together with the Dutch trying to throw off the NSDAP menace.