WW1 Italian Farina Helmet

A very rare Italian ' Farina ' helmet , the first helmet to be issued to the Italian Army in World War One. These , in conjunction with body armour , were issued to special units whose dangerous task it was to clear barbed wire & other obstacles prior to an assault.
Made by the engineering company of 'Ing. F. Farina ' in Milan there were two models one having a deeper depth frontal visor with vision recess as here & the other a shallower form referred to as the reduced , or trench model as is the specimen here.
Constructed with a rear strip & heavily armoured laminate visor being rivetted to the helmet bowl at front & rear its factory applied grey green finish is still visible in places although this did not adhere well to the nickel- chrome steel of the visor.
Issued without any form of liner they were normally worn over a seperate padded cap or the field cap worn back to front in the absence of any other padding. A leather chinstrap was rivetted to the sides of the helmet & as is often the case has long gone sadly.
A fascinating piece of WW1 protective headgear & practically unobtainable today.

Code: 13219