WW1 French Zouve/Tirailleurs Adrian Helmet

An excellent WW1 M15 French Adrian helmet for African troops ( Armee D' Afrique ) worn with this mustard colour & crescent badge by Chausseurs d'Afrique, the Spahis , the Zouaves & the Tirailleurs . These troops were recruited from or stationed in French North Africa from 1830 & as such were part of the French Metropolitan army many of whom were sent to fight in France at the beginning of WW1.
The mustard colour of the helmets was to match the colour of their uniforms & first issues of the helmet were mustard painted over the factory blue when received as is the case here . As the war progressed they were then mustard painted directly at the factory during manufacture & so this example is one of the very first African Army issues. A heavily worn combat helmet the original blue is visible through the chips & scuffs of the outer paint which is thickly hand applied with a brush. All fititngs are still firm & intact with the early first model one piece liner & its corrugated ventilation strips still in place.
With its original brown leather chinstrap this has a small tear to the leather at one end . There are a couple of minor dents & a small knock to the left side helmet rim. Uncleaned & dusty this helmet has not been touched since it was recently discovered one misty morning in France.

Code: 13610