French Steel Helmet WW1 or WW2

**Bencejones** · 08-23-2022, 10:42 PM

Good morning Gentlemen,

I have recently come across 2 old Steel helmets. The first is a French WW1 or WW2 helmet, apparently from the badge and my research it may belong to the French unit "1st Regiment de Marche Zouaves." The second is a Steel WW1 or WW2 British Brodie helmet. My question is what thread would they best be put in to help with identifying etc. Thanks gentlemen.

Keith

Gentlemen, I have added some more close up pictures of the badge, 4 x liner clasps and the attachments for the fin onto of the helmet. I hope they may bring some clarity to the questions. Cheers Keith

**BrodieBartfast** · 08-23-2022, 10:49 PM

This would be the best place to post it: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ww1-a...etc-1914-1918/

In answer to your question, it would either be an M15 or M26 Adrian helmet. They have some pretty distinct differences. Whereas the M15 was of multi-piece construction, riveted together, the M26 was made from a single piece of steel (minus the comb). The M15 has a raised ridge around the base of the dome, where it joins the skirt. There are differences in the liners of the two helmets as well.

Hope this helps.

B.B.

**Bencejones** · 08-23-2022, 10:54 PM

Thank you sir, I will put detailed pictures up tonight after work. Cheers Keith

**Larry C** · 08-23-2022, 11:01 PM

Thread moved

**Bencejones** · 08-27-2022, 01:22 AM

I was hoping to get some feedback regarding this WW1/WW2 French helmet. Comparing this model with others it appears authentic. It appears to be a M15, any feedback from French enthusiasts would be appreciated. Cheers Keith

**Tinhat** · 08-27-2022, 01:49 AM

Hi Keith,
I would agree this is an M15 helmet. The badge though in my opinion is a reproduction. Although these badges existed they were non standard and generally poorer quality. Unfortunately in the past few years more an more reproduction badges are appearing and making there way onto helmets shells raising question marks over anything that is unusual.

This site is probably the best online resource for French helmets (and most other helmets) and worth the effort to register.
World War Helmets - Casque Adrian modele 15, at the bottom of this page are images of badges with a 1st Zuoaves with the colonial crescent badges.

Here is a link to the reproduction badge on the helmet you show.
M1915 French Adrian helmet badge - 1st Zouaves regiment | Armyzdar

The liner look to be repro also.
Steve

**Bencejones** · 08-27-2022, 02:05 AM

Thanks Steve, appreciate the feedback. I will try there. Cheers Keith

**HARRY THE MOLE** · 08-27-2022, 09:15 PM

A nice helmet, the liner being the second pattern which was introduced around 1916. Both chinstrap and liner are in remarkably good condition. Don't worry about the aluminium corrugated spacers being missing, they were sometimes removed to make the helmet a better fit.

Cheers,
Steve

**Bencejones** · 08-28-2022, 06:11 AM

Thanks Harry the Mole, much appreciate your feedback. Any thoughts on the badge? One of our members thought it may be repo. I have done some research and it appears the real deal. I would appreciate your opinion please. cheers Keith

**HARRY THE MOLE** · 08-28-2022, 10:10 AM

by Bencejones

Thanks Harry the Mole, much appreciate your feedback. Any thoughts on the badge? One of our members thought it may be repo. I have done some research and it appears the real deal. I would appreciate your opinion please. cheers Keith

Difficult to say without in-hand inspection - although the paint seems to match. Removing the badge from the helmet might give you some idea if its original to the helmet when you see the paintwork behind, but this can be very risky, as there is always the danger of snapping off the securing tabs. A photograph of the inside of the helmet showing the tabs might help.

Cheers,
Steve