General Information: During the First World War the French equipped Polish volunteers with French equipment including Model 1915 Adrian style helmets. These were fitted with pressed metal badges following the pattern of French chasseurs units, but with a Polish eagle in the center of the disk rather than “RF.” A less common badge was largerContinue reading “Polish Model 1915*”
Tag Archives: World War One
Italian/French M15 – SOLD
This is a French Model 1915 steel helmet manufactured for the Italians. These Italian export helmets were identical to the ones used by French armed forces but for the green paint and lack of holes to accommodate a frontal badge. Italian M15 helmets are not hard to find, but most were converted post-World War OneContinue reading “Italian/French M15 – SOLD”
Prussian M15 Grey Trim Pickelhaube – PRICE REDUCED
I purchase this helmet recently from an old collection. The previous owner bought the helmet sometime in the 1960s. It is a Prussian enlisted man’s Model 1915 grey trim pickelhaube. The helmet is complete and by all appearances, and as far as I can detect, is 100% original. The thing that drew me to thisContinue reading “Prussian M15 Grey Trim Pickelhaube – PRICE REDUCED”
Prussian M15 Ersatz Pickelhaube – PRICE REDUCED
I purchased this recently from an old collection. The previous owner purchased it sometime in the 1960s. It a Model 1915 ersatz enlisted man’s Prussian pickelhaube. An unusual aspect of this helmet is that the spike and front plate were painted brass color. This was done a long time ago and by appearances it isContinue reading “Prussian M15 Ersatz Pickelhaube – PRICE REDUCED”
Turkish M18
General Information: The Turkish Model 1918 was manufactured in Germany by the Eisenhüttenwerk Thale company. It resembles the German helmets of the First World War, but rather than a visor in front, the skirt section continues all the way around the helmet. The reasons for the alteration from the German type are unknown, but thereContinue reading “Turkish M18”
French M15 Intendance
General Information: The intendance was the logistics and supply entity within the French army. It would be roughly equivalent to the quartermaster and ordinance units in the American army. The intendance badge was the last of the eight statutory French army badges that were authorized during the First World War. It is also the scarcest.Continue reading “French M15 Intendance”
French M15 Foreign Legion
General Information: Starting in October 1915 the helmets of African troops serving in the French Army were repainted mustard color. Surviving examples of this type are usually found with external mustard color paint over the original factory blue or grey-blue paint. Typically, the original factory paint remains on the interior. At the very end ofContinue reading “French M15 Foreign Legion”
French Air Force M15/24
General Information: Strictly speaking, this is not a First World War helmet. The helmet may have been used during the war, but the elegant air force badge was not issued until 1923 and was officially adopted in 1924.[1] The same badge was used on Model 1926 and Model 1937 helmets. On the official, statutory versionContinue reading “French Air Force M15/24”
French M15 North African
General Information: The soldiers who wore these helmets were part of the French 19th Army Corps, referred to as the Army of Africa. Its headquarters was in Algiers. The people serving in this army came mostly from French colonies of Algeria, Tunesia, and Morocco. These troops included zouaves, light infantry famous for their colorful uniforms,Continue reading “French M15 North African”
US AFS M15*
Historical Background: The American Ambulance Field Service was organized in 1915 in France and served under French command. The function of the organization was to drive ambulances for the French Army. It was staffed by American expatriates and volunteers recruited from American colleges. After the entry of the United States into the First World WarContinue reading “US AFS M15*”
Steel Helmets of the World Wars 