HUSSARD TROOPS HELMET, model 1910 described in 1913, Third Republic. 27166

HUSSARD TROOPS HELMET, model 1910 described in 1913, Third Republic. 27166

One-piece bomb in mirror-polished steel sheet. It is pierced at the top with five suction cup holes, the interior of the bomb is later lacquered black. Hallmarked on the back with the size “57” and the manufacturer “B. FRANCK ET SES FILS À AUBERVILLIERS” and “A”.
Visor in sheet steel lined with a 0.8 cm wide brass rod placed astride the outer edge. The underside of the visor is green lacquered.
The neck cover is identical to the visor with its black lacquered interior.
Brass headband stamped with a radiant sun on a sandblasted background, H 6.5 cm. In the center is a five-pointed star, diameter 4 cm.
Each chin strap is made up of 13 copper scales cut alternately with three or two festoons, which decrease in width from the top one, which is 2.4 cm, to the last, which is only 1.7 cm. cm. The right chin strap is fitted at its end with a small riveted copper plate to which a buckle also made of copper is attached. At the end of the left one there is a similar plate enclosing a copper D fitted with a partly missing black varnished calfskin strap. The upper scale of each chin strap is covered with a circular copper rosette, diameter 3.9 cm, three rushes in relief.
Brass crest composed of two fins, a mask and a covering.
The fins are stamped with palmettes and a net at their upper edge; the lower part forms a scalloped edge decorated with water leaves, attached to the bomb using two screws, all stamped in relief. H of fins 6.5 cm
A tin-plated sheet metal plate joins the upper edges of the fins, fixing their spacing.
Mask stamped with a Medusa head in relief. The covering, also stamped, represents the continuation of the hair of Medusa's head with intertwined serpents (length 9 cm).
Mane in black horsehair, length 60 cm.
Plumet holder in stamped brass, tubular shape with square section, slightly decreasing towards the bottom, H 3.5 cm.
Interior trim in black waxed leather cut into eight wolf teeth.

France.
Third Republic.
Very good condition, oxidation on the metal parts, slight dent on the front panel on the left side.

NOTE CONCERNING HORSE HUNTER HELMETS AND HUSSAR HELMETS model 1910:

After numerous hairstyle trials, this model was retained as the regulatory model. Its commissioning will be slow and interrupted by the Great War. It was adopted in 1910 but it was not until September 22, 1913 that its description was published in the Official Military Bulletin.

On April 27, 1910, “La France Militaire” learned that the lightweight dragoon helmet “was being tested in a regiment of horse hunters – the 17th or 18th from Lunéville – and in the 6th a regiment of hussars from Commency”.

In April 1911, the 5th regiment of horse hunters from Châlons took part in the autumn maneuvers wearing the 1910 model helmet.

However, after its introduction, this helmet remained stored in clothing stores as part of the war collection. If eight regiments of hunters received it after the start of hostilities in 1914, only the 5th regiment received it during mobilization. The closing report of the 1911 trials noted that the helmet was judged to be the ideal headgear for light cavalry. Budgetary appropriations of 66,444 francs in 1913, then 140,000 francs in 1914 were opened for its distribution in seventeen light cavalry regiments, but it would take a year of war for twelve regiments of them to finally receive it. from June 1915 (perhaps thirteen regiments with the 3rd Hussars, written proof is missing but period photos are known).

This helmet never became regulatory for light cavalry officers before the war as evidenced by the absence of description in the April 1914 edition of volume 104 of the BOEM maintaining the shako as orderly headdress. After the opening of hostilities, the helmets issued to officers will be of the troop type, according to the ministerial decision of November 24, 1914.

On April 22, 1914, the Minister of War declared that he had 3,800 hunter helmets and 1,880 hussar helmets: "these availabilities make it possible to give helmets to five regiments of hunters, to four squadrons or three regiments to six squadrons, and two hussar regiments to four squadrons, and to constitute with the surplus, in the depots of the corps concerned, a reserve of helmets intended to equip the reinforcements. The text adds “the 1st, 5th, 13th (no, it is precisely noted in pencil), 15th and 20th hunters would already be equipped with the helmet. The commissioning of the helmets will make a significant quantity of shakos available, the minister specifies to General Joffre.

The issuance of the helmet continues during the summer in strict accordance with the April details: 2nd and 4th hussars on June 10, 14th hunters on June 23, 10th hunters on July 15 (collected only on July 10, 1915), 13th hunters on July 16, 17th and 18th hunters on July 31. The 8th Hussar Regiment is the only one in its weapon subdivision to have received the model 1910 helmet before August 1914. The 15th Hunter Regiment will receive the helmet on March 11, 1915.

The 1st hussar regiment was equipped with helmets to replace shakos according to a decision of October 3, 1915, according to the Official Military Journal. However, it is most likely the Adrian helmet.