French OTAN M51 Helmet

[bourguignotte]

Thanks Greg for this very nice summary. A good introdution to the matter
Hi Etonian, What is the date of the helmet? It has a US camo that coudl fit with the Indochina period even if they received it nearly at the en of the conflict.Best
Bruno

[Estonian]

No dates or visible stamps.

[Greg Pickersgill]

The only markings in a mle51 will be white paint/ink showing the maker date and place of production on the inside of the shell. Nothing stamped into the metal. If this stamp is missing (virtually all mle51 I have seen have the stamp, but it can be worn off or painted over) then you can work out a probable maker and period from details like the chinstrap lugs. And in one case at least whether the short end of the strap is on the left or right!

I have taken a quick look at the extremely detailed pages on this helmet at WWH ( World War Helmets - Casque Modele TTA 51 ) and it is clear that this style of chinstap lug can be traced to a number of suppliers (remember, France chose to widely distribute production of this helmet to many companies, all over France) and to certain specific years. I don't have the time to get a more precise answer at the moment but I definately recommend going through these pages if you're interested in the mle51. On a quick look it seemed to me that it comes down to four or five makers and a date range from 1953-54, though haste may be my enemy here.

The painted shell seems very unusual to me - haven't seen anything like that before; also, as far as I am aware the French did not use a tricolour flag decal at all. There may have been some special purpose that needed that, but I don't know what it is. Nothing like it on WWH or in the Roland Hennequin book, which includes another very detailed survey on the mle51

Where did you get this one from?

[Estonian]

The helmet was purchased from Germany. The seller himself thought it was a Bundeswehr helmet.

[bourguignotte]

Hello,

I do not remember if it was shown yet but here is a M51 from 51.
You will notice the "yeti" liner.
This is link to the material of the liner that, unfortunatly, with heat tent to disform.

Best

Bruno

[Greg Pickersgill]

For new readers, there are full portait pics of a typical 'Yeti' liner in post 25 of this thread

[bourguignotte]

Exact Greg, with a very good description.
In Page 3
Best
Bruno

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

I can also provide french Mle. 1951 liners for a closer look.


First a HR 1953 Liner

[Sleepwalker]

A Liner HR 55

[Sleepwalker]

Menesa Neunkirchen 1953 - a German manufacturer