French Helmets (1878-current):

 

 
French Model 1878 Pith Helmet

The Model 1878 features a clearly pronounced visor and the nape sheild. This pith helmet features the insignia of the French Marine Infantry, and were used throughout the French Empire in Africa and Indochina.

     
 

 
French Model 1886 Pith Helmet

This model 1886 pith helmet features the insignia of the French Marine Infantry. These helmets were used in various French colonies around the world including Africa. These helmets were used by the three battalions of the 9th and 11th Marine Infantry that fought in China during the Boxer Rebellion.

     
 

   

An 1895 dated poster, based on the cover of the book La Guerre A Madagascar, depicting the French invasion of Madagascar (From the collection of Le musée de l'Armée ).

 

 
French Model 1915 “Adrian” Steel Helmet

The French Army was the first to adopt a modern steel helmet for its troops during the First World War. This model steel helmet featured a distinctive badge on the front to distinguish the unit type. The flaming bomb of this example was used to denote infantry.

The French Model 1915 “Adrian” helmet was adopted by the armies of Belgium, Italy and Romania. Significant numbers were supplied to other Allied nations including Russia and even the United States.

       
 

 
French Model 1915 “Adrian” Steel Helmet

The distinctive badge on the front with the armor and helmet of the First Republic denote engineers. This particular helmet features the dark blue paint that was used later in the Great War than the early “horizon blue.”

       
 

 
French Model 1915 Veteran Plate

Issued to veterans following the Great War, this gilt brass plate was worn on the front visor of French "Adrian" helmets for parades following WWII. It features the inscription "SOLDAT DE LA GRANDE GUERRE 1914-1918" (Soldier of the Great War).

       
 

 
French Model 1926 Steel Helmet

The Model 1926 helmet was an update of the M-15 “Adrian” helmet, and is manufactured in two parts – the rest and the bowl. The metal emblems that were introduced in WWI remained in use but were replaced with circular ones.

Despite the model designation of this helmet it was not generally issued until 1930 and remained in service when World War II broke out.

       
 

 
French Model 1926 Steel Helmet

The helmet badge of this Model 1926 features the crossed canons of the artillery.

       
 

 
French Model 1931 Tropical Helmet

Based on the British Wolseley design, the Model 1931 tropical helmet was used throughout the French colonies, including those in Africa, the Middle East, South America, the Pacific and French Indo-China. These helmets were used by both Vichy and Free French Forces in World War II.

This examples features the standard marine anchor.

     
 

 
French Model 1931 Tropical Helmet Post WWII Variation

This example is the later post-WWII updated Model 1931 tropical helmet. The same basic shape was retained, with the addition of three ventilation holes on each side. This example bears the inscription "Chapeau de Paris," and is dated 1952.

       
 

 
French Model 1951 "OTAN" Steel Helmet

The Model 1951 helmet was based on the American M-1 steel helmet but utilized a more pronounced rear brim.

This particular model, dated 1952, was un-issued and was sold in the original wax oil paper.

       
 

 
French Indochina Pith Helmet

This style of helmet was based on the French Model 1931 tropical helmet, but is made of a lightweight pressed fiber with a water-proof canvas cover. These were locally produced helmet in French Indochina, and used as private purchase officer's helmets. These feature a plastic liner system, which would be later used with the North Vietnamese Army sun helmets.

This example was made in Saigon, and has a maker's tag from Nón Rang Dong, BVK. The original owner's initials(?) is written in pen: "VAN 3-6-54."

     
 

 
French Model 1951 Tanker Helmet

Made of leather with ventilation holds, this helmet was introduced in 1951. This helmet was made so that it could fit inside the steel shell of the M51 "OTAN."

       
 

 
French Model 1978 F1 Steel Helmet

This was the final steel helmet used by the French army. It was developed in the 1970s and used throughout the 1980s and 1990s.