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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Odd French Helmet and visor


vollketten

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I saw this picture recently of an odd looking french helmet. The crest appears to say 'R F' which I take to mean 'Republique Francais' surrounded by a laurel wreath. According to one source this is for the 'Service de Sante' but I don't know what this is or why they would need a chain mail face guard.

It looks deeply uncomforatble (I wouldn't want that bashing me in face whenever I ran, It must ruin visibility and probably noisy as well.) I seriously doubt it's value as protection. Does anyone know whether this even had a name? or know what year this was tried?

Not only this but the glum looking fellow modeling it is dressed in a odd looking pocketless shirt.

post-48708-1251296988.jpg

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Never seen one like that!

I know various "mail" face and neck guards were made for British tank crews. I will be interesting to see if this is a variant?

Chris

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Never seen one like that!

I know various "mail" face and neck guards were made for British tank crews. I will be interesting to see if this is a variant?

Chris

My first thought but French tankers seem to have worn either leather helmets or berets.

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My first thought but French tankers seem to have worn either leather helmets or berets.

Standard French army 1915 Adrian badged to the medical services. Anti-shrapnel visor fitted - probably experimental and depicted on such a helmet for an article or manual.

dave.

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My first thought but French tankers seem to have worn either leather helmets or berets.

They can also be encountered wearing steel helmets (occasionally with the front peak removed - standard post-war) badged up to either the artillery or their new "Artillerie Speciale" badge (see my avatar for the 1935 version...similar, but not stamped onto a disc).

dave.

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Standard French army 1915 Adrian badged to the medical services. Anti-shrapnel visor fitted - probably experimental and depicted on such a helmet for an article or manual.

dave.

I assume that by shrapnel you mean anti splinter.

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