French Tap 56

**Mark K** · 06-17-2017, 01:44 PM

I added this French Tap 56 to my collection some time ago the liner is nicely date stamped to 1954 and the sweat band is stamped to the 1er R.G.
The helmet body and liner for the most part have welded themselves together so all I can do is speculate on the year of production it would still appear to be sporting its original paint and cork finish so if the information I am reading is correct this would date this particular shell to no later than 1962 these were first thought to be distributed in and around 1959 and well used into the end of the 1970's...
I have started to research the 1er R.G. online but as of yet the information I have found is conflicting so will need to dig a bit deeper as time permits..

Regards Mark

**bourguignotte** · 08-31-2017, 10:33 PM

Hello Mark

Very nice one. Not easy to find in such condition

All the best

Bruno

**Mark K** · 08-31-2017, 10:37 PM

Thanx Bruno I am very pleased to have it in my collection ..

Regards Mark

**Mark K** · 10-10-2019, 12:53 PM

Have been busy for some time re-shooting helmets in my collection and editing my posts as new information comes to light so I thought I might give this thread a bit of a bump..

Regards Mark

**James C** · 10-10-2019, 07:36 PM

Mark really nice example you have and a pleasant surprise to see it has a Resinated Fibre liner

,Here is my favorite rather worse for wear Airborne which i have had for some time now ,Recently i brought it outside in good light conditions for a dust off and noticed this marking scratched slightly off center on the front area of the shell ,it was a real bonus to see the Parachute marking considering that i had never noticed before

**Mark K** · 10-10-2019, 08:38 PM

Great example James a little salty and well worn as I like them..

Regards Mark

**bourguignotte** · 10-10-2019, 10:29 PM

Nice one alos

Mark, I forgot to ask about your 1st RG. Do you have a picture?

Normally, it would stand for 1st regiment du genis (ingenieers) but this one wasn't TAP

Bruno

**Mark K** · 10-10-2019, 10:40 PM

Sorry Bruno here you are..

Regards Mark..

**bourguignotte** · 10-10-2019, 10:54 PM

Hello Mark,

Thanks for the picture

This is Strange, the stamp looks similar to other oen we could also find in cloth.
That said the 1st RG wasn't TAP. The 17th was.

Maybe a soldier who moved from one to another and kept his liner

Anyway a nice one

Bruno