Post by 1886lebel on Mar 24, 2009 11:30:33 GMT -8
Casque Adrian Modèle 1915 (Model 1915 "Adrian" pattern steel helmet) -- The Mle.1915 Casque Adrian helmet was officially adopted on May 21,1915 and its supply was an impressive feat -- more than three million were made and distributed before the end of 1915. Unfortunately, the protection the Adrian offered was inferior to that of the slightly later, and heavier, British and German models; the Adrian weighed only .765kg (1lb.11oz.) and was made of mild steel.
The complex shape of the Adrian Helmet was inspired by the protective helmet worn by French firemen of the day; it consisted of a skull, a two-part brim and an applied raised crest, with a pressed metal badge on the front, which differed with arm of service (for us, this needs to be the "flaming bomb" with the "RF" (République Française) in the center). These were originally issued with a glossy blue-gray paint finish, which was found to reflect the sun's light, which gave away the soldiers position and so, in late 1915, it was issued with a more concealing fabric cover made in light blue or khaki. Sometime in 1916, it was decided to change the color of the helmet to a matt dark blue-gray finish, as this helped reduce the helmet's glare in the sun and did away with the fabric covers which, because they got very dirty, tended to infect head wounds. The later matte dark blue-gray finish remained in service until the end of the war. (for us, this is the color of helmet we should use)
The Adrian helmets were sized to the shell itself and ranged from small to extra large. They had a one piece leather chinstrap with adjustable buckle and a one piece wool-backed, leather liner with aluminum spacers.
My Casque Adrian Modèle 1915 I use at reenactments
The complex shape of the Adrian Helmet was inspired by the protective helmet worn by French firemen of the day; it consisted of a skull, a two-part brim and an applied raised crest, with a pressed metal badge on the front, which differed with arm of service (for us, this needs to be the "flaming bomb" with the "RF" (République Française) in the center). These were originally issued with a glossy blue-gray paint finish, which was found to reflect the sun's light, which gave away the soldiers position and so, in late 1915, it was issued with a more concealing fabric cover made in light blue or khaki. Sometime in 1916, it was decided to change the color of the helmet to a matt dark blue-gray finish, as this helped reduce the helmet's glare in the sun and did away with the fabric covers which, because they got very dirty, tended to infect head wounds. The later matte dark blue-gray finish remained in service until the end of the war. (for us, this is the color of helmet we should use)
The Adrian helmets were sized to the shell itself and ranged from small to extra large. They had a one piece leather chinstrap with adjustable buckle and a one piece wool-backed, leather liner with aluminum spacers.
My Casque Adrian Modèle 1915 I use at reenactments
