M15 Adrian (Imperial Russia)

Manufacturer: Les Etablissements Reflex, Paris.

Conservation Notes

Shell: Original condition as found. Manufacturer attribution based on unique size, shape and position of side rivets and comb characteristics; size “B”. Acquired with original chinstrap and aluminum spacers; leather liner absent. At least 95% original khaki paint remaining and still retaining a matte finish -an indication of minimal handling through the years. The dome and comb are dent-free and all original rivets are present and firmly fastened. I have heard two very different total production figures for this helmet: 140,000 pieces or 15,000 pieces. I'm inclined to believe the former, given the size of the Russian army and this is also the number quoted in The History of the Steel Helmet in the First World War, but those guys are not infallible. In any case, this is today quite a rare helmet to find in good condition and with its imperial badge intact.

Liner: Absent save for aluminum spacers. Reproduction first-pattern liner handmade to original specification in Ukraine (see References & Resources).

Chinstrap: Original condition as found.

Stamps/Markings: None visible.

 

Miscellaneous: This helmet was won in an eBay auction from a seller in Moscow, the details of which are somewhat interesting: The lot was poorly (even inaccurately) described and although the seller had been a member for the last twelve years, they had had few transactions, the two most recent of which having received negative feedback -a fact which I had failed to notice. Furthermore, I had also failed to notice that there was to be no international shipping. I won the auction for what I would consider to be a ridiculously low price. I contacted the seller immediately to apologize for my error regarding the shipping terms and she quickly wrote back saying that it was “no problem” and that shipping to the U.S. would be $45, which I then paid. Shortly thereafter I was notified that the package had been sent and I was given an international tracking number… which didn’t work. It was then that I realized that I’d probably been had. However, I decided to wait and see what would happen while managing my expectations. Weeks went by with nothing. During this time, I noticed the seller’s eBay avatar was removed. After the last day of the expected delivery date range (estimated at three to five weeks) had come and gone, I wrote to the seller about the failed tracking number. If I had indeed been duped as I strongly suspected, I had only a certain amount of time to begin the refund process with eBay. Three days passed with no response to my inquiry. I wrote again -this time a little more forcefully- yet still cordial. The next day a box arrived on my doorstep from Russia. Inside was the helmet, carefully packed and just as shown in the auction photos. Naturally, I was shocked, having long since written it off as a loss. I wrote to the seller immediately expressing my gratitude and apologizing for doubting her. No reply was ever received. Some time later I looked up the seller’s profile, under which it now said: “This seller is no longer registered on eBay.” Risks can sometimes pay off in this hobby, but they are not to be recommended. I was lucky.


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