French Adrian Helmet, Worn In Verdun

This is a remarkable  Adrian model 1915 helmet, featuring a liner Type I, which was produced exclusively in 1915. You can identify it by the 7 “teeth” on the liner, as opposed to the 6 teeth used from 1916 onwards. The turban (located at the back of the sweatband) is in the distinctive gris de fer bleuté color, standard for 1915 infantry equipment. The helmet features a model 1915 infantry attribute.

The lateral rivets are characteristic of the Dupeyron manufacturing style.

What makes this helmet especially fascinating is the personal touch: the soldier engraved his name on the visor—“Henry Lennory, Classe 1904.” This allowed us to trace him in the archives. Lennory hailed from La Manche in Normandy and served with the Infantry Regiment of Saint-Lô. He sustained injuries twice: once by a bullet during the Battle of Verdun in 1916 and again by shrapnel in 1917. In total, he spent  34 months on the front lines!

This helmet, worn in the Verdun trenches, is not only a valuable historical artifact but also a deeply personal piece of history.

The chinstrap is ok but the leather has become rather dry over time.

The soldier’s military record (printed copy) is attached to the helmet.