CHASSEUR À CHEVAL SOLDIER HELMET, Model 1910 described in 1913, Third Republic. 30164

CHASSEUR À CHEVAL SOLDIER HELMET, Model 1910 described in 1913, Third Republic. 30164

One-piece mirror-polished steel helmet. It is pierced at the top with five suction holes, and the interior of the helmet is later lacquered in black. Marked at the back with size "57" and the manufacturer "B. FRANCK ET ses FILS À AUBERVILLIERS" and "A."
Steel visor edged with a 0.8 cm wide brass strip placed on the outer edge. The underside of the visor is lacquered green.
The neck guard is identical to the visor with its interior lacquered black.
Brass headband stamped with a sunburst on a sanded background, 6.5 cm high. In the center, a hunting horn made of German silver (height 3.5 cm, width 4.7 cm) is attached.
Each chinstrap consists of 13 copper scales alternately cut into three or two festoons, decreasing in width from the top scale, which is 2.4 cm, to the bottom scale, which is only 1.7 cm wide. The right chinstrap is fitted with a small copper plate at its end, riveted to a copper buckle. At the end of the left chinstrap, there is a similar plate holding a copper "D" with a partly missing black varnished calf skin strap. The top scale of each chinstrap is covered with a circular copper rosette, 3.9 cm in diameter, with three raised strips.
Brass crest composed of two flaps, a mask, and a covering.
The flaps are stamped with palmettes and a border at their upper edge; the lower part forms a scalloped rim adorned with water leaves, attached to the helmet with two screws, all stamped in relief. Height of the flaps is 6.5 cm.
A tinplate connects the upper edges of the flaps, fixing their spacing.
The mask is stamped with a relief head of Medusa. The covering, also stamped, represents the continuation of Medusa's hair with intertwined snakes (length 9 cm).
Black horsehair mane, approximately 60 cm long.
Brass plume holder of tubular shape with a square section, slightly tapering downwards, 3.5 cm high.
Black waxed leather inner lining cut in wolf's teeth, illegible rectangular acceptance stamp.

France.
Third Republic.
Good condition, steel parts oxidized, helmet never cleaned.

NOTE ON HUNTING SOLDIER HELMETS AND MODEL 1910 HUSSAR HELMETS:

After numerous trials of headdresses, this model was chosen as the standard model. Its introduction was 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" reported that the lightweight dragon helmet "is being tested in a regiment of hunting soldiers - the 17th or 18th in Lunéville - and in the 6th, a hussar regiment in Commency."

In April 1911, the 5th hunting regiment of Châlons participated in the fall maneuvers wearing the 1910 model helmet.

However, after its introduction, this helmet remained stored in clothing depots as part of the war collection. While eight hunting regiments received it after the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, only the 5th regiment was equipped with it at mobilization. The 1911 trial closure report noted that the helmet was considered the ideal headgear for light cavalry. Budget allocations of 66,444 francs in 1913, and then 140,000 francs in 1914, were opened for its distribution to seventeen light cavalry regiments, but it took a year of war for twelve of them to finally receive it from June 1915 onwards (possibly thirteen regiments including the 3rd hussars, there is a lack of written evidence but period photos confirm).

This helmet never became regulation for light cavalry officers before the war, as evidenced by the absence of a description in the April 1914 edition of Volume 104 of the Official Military Bulletin maintaining the shako as the standard headgear. After the outbreak of hostilities, the helmets issued to officers were of the enlisted type, according to the ministerial decision of November 24, 1914.

On April 22, 1914, the Minister of War stated that there were 3,800 hunting helmets and 1,880 hussar helmets available: "These supplies allow for distributing helmets to five hunting regiments, four squadrons or three regiments with six squadrons, and two hussar regiments with four squadrons, and to establish a reserve of helmets in the depots of the affected units for equipping reinforcements." The text adds, "the 1st, 5th, 13th (noted inaccurately in pencil), 15th, and 20th hunters were already equipped with the helmet." The introduction of helmets will make a significant number of shakos available, as specified by the minister to General Joffre.

Helmet distribution continued throughout the summer in strict compliance with the April directives: 2nd and 4th hussars on June 10, 14th hunters on June 23, 10th hunters on July 15 (received on July 10, 1915), 13th hunters on July 16, 17th and 18th hunters on July 31. The 8th hussar regiment was the only one in its army subdivision to receive the 1910 model helmet before August 1914. The 15th hunting regiment received the helmet on March 11, 1915.

The 1st hussar regiment was equipped with the helmet in place of the shako according to a decision dated October 3, 1915 in the Military Official Journal. However, this was most likely the Adrian helmet.