French F1 Helmet Modèle 1978 Army Military Cold War Scrim Cover Steel Combat

French Modèle 1978 “F1” Helmet. Somewhat rare vintage helmet. The F1 was one of the last and most modern of the steel helmets adopted by a major military, serving France into the 1990s. It takes some inspiration from both American and Soviet helmet shapes of the cold war and is surprisingly well balanced and unobtrusive. The liner is one size but adjustable up to about 59cm. This particular example has definitely seen some use and wear but appears structurally sound. This is an older version of the helmet, with a 1979 date stamp, and features the classic french “salade” covering secured through a combination of rubber car door bumper material around the brim and a section of old rubber car inner tube as a band of sorts. Wonderful addition for the french militaria collector.