WW1 Italian Adrian Helmet

[Mooyman]

Hi,

There is a painting on this helmet or is it my imagination?

[Mooyman]

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[Mooyman]

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[Mooyman]

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[Brian Calkins]

No, it's not your imagination. Many Italian helmets had either a regimental or service branch insignia painted on the front. These were hand painted usually in black, but sometimes in white paint. It's my understanding the helmets with stenciled markings are post war.

Yours looks hand painted and the lack of rivets on the comb indicate wartime manufacture. I can't really make out what insignia it is, but it appears like it could be original to the helmet (these are often added and artificially aged to try to increase value).

Hope this helps.

[Mooyman]

No, it's not your imagination. Many Italian helmets had either a regimental or service branch insignia painted on the front. These were hand painted usually in black, but sometimes in white paint. It's my understanding the helmets with stenciled markings are post war.

Yours looks hand painted and the lack of rivets on the comb indicate wartime manufacture. I can't really make out what insignia it is, but it appears like it could be original to the helmet (these are often added and artificially aged to try to increase value).

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much!

[Brian Calkins]

I should add that lots of these Adrian helmets were shipped to Spain during the Civil war and I have seen some with Spanish insignias painted on the front. Also possible it could have been surplused to some Balkan countries like Albania/Greece/Yugoslavia. I know this muddles up final ID on the helmet, but it may help if you can't find an Italian insignia to match.

[Mooyman]

Hi,

Thanks!

The helmet was an Italian veteran of World War I who migrated to Brazil after the war.