New Helmet

[EKman]

I just picked this up at a local antique store for $20. I believe that it is WWI French. Can someone confirm this for me or tell me what it really is.
Thanks for looking

[EKman]

The Inside

Here is the inside. I do not have any reference books here that cover this type of stuff, so can anyone tell me what the emblem on the front represents. I would guess some type of field artillery.

[Peter_Suciu]

That is a French M15 "Adrian" helmet with a badge for artillery. The light blue color is the original color of these helmets and they are often found in a lighter blue color later in the war.

$20 is a steal for that helmet, especially with the original pattern liner. The helmets were used by the French (as well as many other nations including Belgium, when they were painted brown, Italy, Romania and Russia) until being replaced by the M26, which was used in WWII.

These helmets go for about $150-$200 or so on eBay and other auction sites. Very nice piece!

[EKman]

Wow

Thanks, I had no idea, I imagined that $20 was a good deal, that is why I got this since it is so far out of my usual collecting area, but I had no idea what it was really worth.
Thanks alot

[Lee Ragan]

Very nice French helmet. Over the years, I had pretty good luck in finding US & British Commonwealth countries militaria plus beer steins in San Angelo. Must be because of the many troops that pass thru Goodfellow AFB. That helmet just prooves there is still some nice original goodies hidden around if a collector will just be persistant & keep looking.

[EKman]

Indeed

This is very true, I have found one good antique store around here that has several vendors with militaria. Over the past couple of months, I have pretty much bought up what they have, and I have been very pleased with the deals that I have gotten. Along with this WWI helmet, there was also a WWII French one that was about the same price that I am thinking about getting. Its condition is comparable to this one. Alas, I cant always buy everything that I want at one time.

[ROBB]

$20 for that helmet is madness ,Check out the stall holders watches theres probably a Rolex in their for $20 .Ive been outbid to the tune of £100 on that helmet so many times Ive lost count .Well done great find ,keep going back ,Rob