Original French WWI Model 1915 Adrian Helmet Shell in Horizon Blue with RF Badge & Chinstrap Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very 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. It does not look to have been repainted during the war, and shows a lot of fantastic checking and patination. 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.

There is no liner installed on this shell, and the front and rear clips for the liner are missing. It does still have tow two side clips, which have the chinstrap loops still attached. There is an original leather chinstrap installed on the helmet, and it is in somewhat delicate condition, with an intact buckle. One end looks to be tied onto the loop, maybe since the original rivet popped in the distant past.

Overall condition of the helmet is nice, though it does show its age. The shell shows some minor dings, scratches and paint wear consistent with age and long service. If you were looking for a nicely priced Adrian Helmet Shell 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.