French Adrian Helmet

I have been keeping my eyes open for a long time for an antique French Adrian helmet. I almost found one the other day but something made me resist buying it. I was concerned that there was no method of attaching any sort of identity plate to the front. Subsequently a Google search has made me feel this is in fact a French made helmet for the Italian army. 

The same antique shop had two helmets without liners painted a very new and bright horizon blue. I recognize them as reproductions I've seen online. They were very cheap, so I bought them.

That blue paint bothered me like crazy. All photos of antique helmets I could find show a much darker colour. I could stand it no longer and took the paint remover to the blue. The final effect has been perfect and I wonder if the French "poilu" had the same thoughts and rubbed the paint back to a more steely look. Surely nothing could be more threatening to one's life and limb than bobbing around with a bright blue helmet above the trench parapet. 

A bit more working on the surface and a light waxing has produced a perfect effect. I am now working on a chinstrap and will next create an inner lining. 

Strangely, the metal tabs to hold the lining in place have been broken off on both helmets. I am left wondering why these were so freshly and newly painted and yet show signs of incompleteness and damage. I also find that with the new paint off there is a degree of corrosion evident and other signs of general use. I'm suddenly wondering if in fact these two helmets are originals that were made but never issued and may be part of a larger stash that has been sitting around for 100 years. It's such a thing possible?

The details are quite exquisite and these are clearly older than a modern reproduction. The more I read the more I think these were decommissioned helmets put away after the war. I'm glad to be rid of the vile blue and to be down to an original primer. 

I've made a simple liner and chin strap, but I doubt I shall ever wear them....much. 

Reproduction military badges

I've got the collar dogs made to go with the 5thCanadian Rifles cap badges. Here they are:

While getting these made I took the opportunity to cast a Queen Victotia cypher. The first photo shows the original pouch that was given to me by my mother forty years ago! Clearly a present that hit the mark.

Here's what nine reproductions look like:

And up close:.... The size is 2"X2"

Three weeks later....

I've made some Victorian style pouches now. The larger is to fit a mini iPad or anything else of that general size. It has two compartments. The smaller ones are designed for cell phones, wallets, and digital phones.

Here's what a small one looks like close-up:

More Reproduction Great War Badges

I'm working on a small commission now to make a set of badges for a reenactment group in Belgium associated with Passchendaele. I was contacted by them through my blogs and was very fortunate to be able to find a source of original 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles badges that I could purchase for the moulding process. In short order Mike McMahon of Arctic Medals sent me these badges which have since been shipped to the foundry in Montreal prior to my cleaning up and preparation for a shipment to Belgium. I am delighted to be a part of this exchange, and to help with the preservation of memories regarding the Great War centenary.

Here's the 5th CMR cap badge

Once again the common elements of the Mapleleaf and the Beaver, along with the King's crown, have been turned into a typical First World War cap badge. But what a 5! It is bold and dramatic and has something of an Art Nouveau flair about it. I find it curious to think of all of these badges being designed and created by the thousands for the war, and of the men for whom this badge was a uniting link to all their comrades.

I've done some copies of a different style of the shoulder title too. This is the word "CANADA" with open letters.

This photo shows the original. It is standing on a pencil eraser for support and to give a sense of size.

The next photo shows the copy that I have made:

I find my new castings need a good bit of hand polishing and then they are almost indistinguishable from the originals if they, too, have been polished. All the pits and scratches of the original are reproduced in the copy. However, the originals are stamped from sheet brass while mine are cast. Seen from behind it is clear which is original and which is the copy. I wouldn't want anyone to think I was pulling the wool over a collector's eyes.

If you discover my blog and I want to reproduction of a badge for yourself please contact me at this Gmail address:  timothyjsoper@gmail.com