Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice example of a genuine World War I M1915 French Army "Adrian" steel helmet. The still helmet retains the correct original "dark horizon blue" paint on both the interior and exterior, though it was either during service or post war, but definitely long ago due to the wear and age since the repaint. The front of the helmet still has its original French RF (République Française) marked Artilleryman's badge with crossed cannons under a flaming bomb attached to the front.

The leather liner is in good shape, with an intact top top tie, and the size size is probably around a 56-57cm, with the leather still supple. The original corrugated aluminum liner surround is still partly present, and the chin strap is still fully intact, though worn.

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. If you were looking for a nice example of a rare Adrian helmet, this is it!

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.