WWI Allied – Page 3 – Steel Helmets of the World Wars

USMC*

General Information: The application of US Marine Corps cap badges to steel helmets was a common practice in the post-World War One period, but was this was also done, to a lesser extent, during the conflict. The debate among collectors about whether EGA (Eagle, Globe, and Anchor) badges were used during the First World WarContinue reading “USMC*”

US Model 1917*

General Information: The US Model 1917, along with the British Mark I, was the standard headgear of the American Doughboy in the First World War. It is a near identical copy of the British MKI. One quick visual differentiator between the two types is the method of attaching the chinstrap mechanism to the shell; TheContinue reading “US Model 1917*”

Russian M17*

General Information: There was never an official designation for this helmet. Because it was produced in 1917, “M17” seems a good name. In contemporary documents it is sometimes identified as “Russian model helmet with shovel steel” or “ShLS” using the Russian abbreviation. This refers to the type of steel chosen for the helmet’s manufacture. InContinue reading “Russian M17*”

British MKI*

General Information: The first helmet used by British soldiers in the First World War, the War Office Pattern Helmet (see “British Brodie”) had deficiencies that needed to be addressed. Chief among these were the raw edge which could cause injury. Other problems included reflective paint, and complaints about the liner being hot and slippery. ToContinue reading “British MKI*”

Italian M16*

General Information: Initially, the Italians used French Model 1915 Adrian helmets imported from France. Starting in 1916, they produced a domestic version of the Adrian helmets. These were referred to in official documents as the Modello Lippman helmets after their designer.[1] The Lippmann helmet improved on the original French Adrian in several ways. It was madeContinue reading “Italian M16*”

French Model 1915*

A proud French soldier displaying his M15 helmet* General Information: The French Model 1915 was the first modern era steel helmet and the first full production steel helmet to reach the battlefields in the First World War. Credit for the creation of the helmet is given to Intendant (quartermaster) general Agust-Louis Adrian.[1] He was responding to theContinue reading “French Model 1915*”

British Brodie*

General Information: John Leopold Brodie filed a patent for this helmet in August of 1915. Officially, it was referred to as the “War Office Pattern” helmet; unofficially, it has been referred to by the name of the patent holder: “Brodie.” The helmet was cheap and easy to produce and offered good protection, particularly from overhead explodingContinue reading “British Brodie*”