+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: French M51 helmet

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member BEAR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 12:23 PM
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    681
    Real Name
    Tim Rarick
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM

    French M51 helmet

    Found this in my LAS 2 years ago just as COVID ramped up. It was still there when they reopened this year and although it is not part of my collecting forte, I decided to collect it anyways. It is in mint condition EXCEPT the broken leather chin strap. The LAS originally listed it as a Korean War US Helmet (?) but I set him straight 2 years ago since I wasn't interested. Frenchicon militaria was not my interest but I've come to find out I have several French pieces in my accumulation of militaria.
    Attachment 118676Attachment 118677Attachment 118678Attachment 118679Attachment 118680Attachment 118681Attachment 118682Attachment 118683
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to BEAR For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Contributing Member BEAR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 12:23 PM
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    681
    Real Name
    Tim Rarick
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM
    Thread Starter

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by BEAR View Post
    Frenchicon militaria was not my interest but I've come to find out I have several French pieces in my accumulation of militaria.
    Like a Berthier bayonet that could have been used by the same guy wearing this as they used them in some form until the early '60s... They sure copied the early US pattern helmet style didn't they? All the early details are here for an early WW2 type.
    Regards, Jim

  7. #4
    Contributing Member BEAR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 12:23 PM
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    681
    Real Name
    Tim Rarick
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM
    Thread Starter
    Yes, I was surprised when I found out that the Berthier had such a long service life.
    The M51 OTAN was adopted during the Indochina war but all the photos I have found indicate M1icon usage. Except one. The caption indicates it was taken in Indochina, but the background really does look like Algeria. Maybe someone else is familiar with the picture.

    BEAR
    Attachment 118722

  8. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM
    That could easily be an LZ dozed out in an open area. Those guys look like Legionnaire Paras. You know what they can be like...
    Regards, Jim

  9. #6
    AlexRod85
    Guest AlexRod85's Avatar
    It Don't Looks Like Old It's Still Amazing It Looks like that's not easy to broke.

  10. #7
    Legacy Member bolo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Last On
    01-07-2022 @ 08:32 PM
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    27
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:03 PM

    FRENCH MLE 51 VIETNAM ERA helmet

    these helmets saw lots of use in the wars in Southeast Asia , here is a young Cambodian soldier wearing a Frenchicon M51 steel helmet.

  11. #8
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by bolo View Post
    a young Cambodian soldier wearing a Frenchicon M51
    Without the liner. Must be very comfortable...
    Regards, Jim

  12. #9
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    08:03 PM
    Perhaps he thought that with more of his head covered by the helmet, without the liner, it offered greater protection.

  13. Thank You to Flying10uk For This Useful Post:


  14. #10
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    it offered greater protection.
    I'll bet that's all he found and it was a great prize for him...
    Regards, Jim

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. M1926 French Helmet Liner?
    By boristhepig in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-01-2018, 09:43 AM
  2. French Resistance/Free France Adrian Helmet
    By cipherk98 in forum Commercial Auction and Sale "Gossip"
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-10-2017, 06:58 PM
  3. USGI M1 Helmet; Paratrooper, Franken-helmet, not really sure?
    By ct241 in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 10-08-2015, 02:06 AM
  4. French Adrian helmet question?
    By rayg in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-01-2014, 01:22 PM
  5. M1 Helmet Swivel Bale Helmet Differences
    By cquickel in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-08-2009, 01:13 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks