WW2 French Armoured Vehicle Helmet Dated 1939

A rare French M35 steel helmet specifically designed for tank crews , AFV crews & cavalry personnel. These were widely worn by French motorised troops in the run up to WW2 & certainly saw much action during the 1940 invasion of France when she fielded , as a nation, a much larger number of Armoured vehicles than the Germans .
Badged to the front with the 1937 roundel model of infantry flaming grenade this helmet would have been used by troops such as those of the Mounted Machine Gun Squadrons & Armoured Fighting Vehicle crews that were under control of the infantry as well as motorcyle & side car personnel all under the same umbrella.
Factory finished in green it has received a hand applied overpaint of brown which was sometimes done to further maximise its camouflage effect. This totally untouched specimen is dated 1939 to the interior crown of the shell with the maker ' FRANCK' above this. The multi piece sheepskin liner system is dated 1939 to the headband & conforms to the 1937 version which was slightly improved from earlier issues. Original drawstring intact.
A fantastic piece of French combat history , service used & oozing history from the early fighting of WW2.

Code: 12354