Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice, miniature French Model 1915 Adrian helmet which was constructed to be used as an inkwell. 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.
The inkwell itself is in wonderful condition but does appear to be missing a chinstrap as most other examples we have seen has one. Another item missing is the glass insert which would have been used to hold the ink itself. The construction of the helmet is still very sound and is present without any extensive damage, though there is cracking present near the hinge on the bottom.
A lovely, unique item that comes more than ready for further research and display.