1st Model production of the M51 French Helmet manufactured to help supply the requirements of forces in Indochina . Helmet Shells manufactured between 1951 to mid 1952 only. Easily identifiable since it has ‘fixed bales’ with leg extensions jutting to the helmet wall where it was welded to the shell, for attachment of chinstraps. Chinstraps are also secured with rivets to the bales whereas future models were only sewn . 1st Model helmets are rarely encountered now since the majority were used for Indochina and Algerian wars. The 2nd and 3rd generation M51 helmets found wider distribution with larger numbers being produced and distributed .
NOTE: HELMETS HAVE NEW GERMAN REPLACEMENT LINERS.
