Helmet Of The Horse Hunters Troop, Model 1910 Described In 1913, Third Republic.

CAVALRY TROOPER HELMET, Model 1910 described in 1913, Third Republic. Inventory number 28543R

One-piece helmet made of polished mirror steel plate. It is pierced at the top with five suction holes, and the interior of the helmet is later painted black. Stamped on the back with the size "55" and the manufacturer "B. FRANCK ET ses FILS À AUBERVILLIERS" and "A".
Visor made of steel plate edged with a 0.8 cm wide brass strip placed on the outer edge. The underside of the visor is painted green.
The neck guard is identical to the visor with its interior painted black.
Brass headband stamped with a radiant sun on a sanded background, H 6.5 cm. In the center, a hunting horn made of nickel silver is attached (height 3.5 cm, width 4.7 cm).
Each chin strap is composed of 13 copper scales cut alternately in groups of three or two, decreasing in width from 2.4 cm at the top to 1.7 cm at the bottom. The right strap is adorned at its end with a small copper plate riveted to which a copper buckle is attached. At the end of the left strap, there is a similar plate with a copper "D" emblem bearing a partially missing black varnished calf leather chinstrap. The top scale of each strap is covered with a circular copper rosette, 3.9 cm in diameter, with three relief bands.
Brass crest consisting of two fins, a mask, and a covering.
The fins are stamped with palmettes and a line on 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 fins is 6.5 cm
A tin plate connects the upper edges of the fins to maintain their spacing.
Mask stamped with a relief of a Medusa head. The covering, also stamped, represents the continuation of Medusa's hair with intertwined snakes (length 9 cm).
Black horsehair mane, approximately 60 cm in length.
Brass plume holder in a tubular shape with a square section, slightly tapering towards the bottom, H 3.5 cm.
Black waxed leather inner lining cut in wolf's teeth pattern.

France.
Third Republic.
Good overall condition, paint wear under the neck guard, a hole on one of the wolf's teeth, and surface wear of the leather on the inside lining.

NOTE REGARDING THE CAVALRY TROOPER HELMETS AND HUSSAR HELMETS Model 1910:

Following numerous trials of headgear, this model was chosen as the standard model. Its implementation was slow and interrupted by the Great War. It was adopted in 1910, but its description was only officially published in the Military Bulletin on September 22, 1913.

On April 27, 1910, "La France Militaire" reported that the lightened dragon helmet "is being tested in a regiment of chasseurs à cheval - the 17th or 18th in Lunéville - and in the 6th a hussar regiment in Commency."

In April 1911, the 5th regiment of chasseurs à cheval from Châlons participated in the autumn maneuvers wearing the 1910 model helmet.

However, after its introduction, this helmet remained in storage in the clothing stores as war reserve. While eight chasseur regiments received it after the start of hostilities in 1914, only the 5th regiment was wearing it at mobilization. The final report of the 1911 trials noted that the helmet was considered the ideal headgear for light cavalry. Budgetary allocations of 66,444 francs in 1913, and then 140,000 francs in 1914 were earmarked for distribution among seventeen light cavalry regiments, but it took a year of war before twelve of them finally received it starting from June 1915 (perhaps thirteen regiments including the 3rd hussars, although no written proof exists, there are period photographs).

This helmet never became standard for light cavalry officers before the war, as demonstrated by the absence of its description in the April 1914 edition of Volume 104 of the BOEM, which retained the shako as the ordained headgear. After the outbreak of hostilities, officers were issued helmets of the trooper type, as per the ministerial decision of November 24, 1914.

On April 22, 1914, the Minister of War announced the availability of 3,800 chasseur helmets and 1,880 hussar helmets: "these stocks allow for providing the helmet to five chasseur regiments, to four squadrons or three regiments with six squadrons, and equipping two hussar regiments with four squadrons. The surplus helmets would be stored in the depots of relevant units for equipment of reinforcements." The text adds, "the 1st, 5th, 13th (though this is not precisely noted by pencil), 15th, and 20th chasseurs are already equipped with the helmet. The helmets entering service will free up a significant quantity of shakos, specifies the Minister to General Joffre."

Helmet distribution continued strictly in accordance with the April instructions throughout the summer: 2nd and 4th hussars on June 10, 14th chasseurs on June 23, 10th chasseurs on July 15 (received only on July 10, 1915), 13th chasseurs on July 16, 17th and 18th chasseurs on July 31. The 8th hussar regiment was the only one in its arm division to have received the 1910 model helmet before August 1914. The 15th chasseur regiment would receive the helmet on March 11, 1915.

The 1st hussar regiment was provided with the helmet in replacement of the shakos according to a decision on October 3, 1915, as detailed in the Military Official Journal. However, this was most likely the Adrian helmet.