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Casque Troupe de Génie - Engineers / Pioniers A post WW1 French Adrian type steel helmet of the pioneer or engineer troops, Troupe de Génie, as worn after 1935 and at the beginning of WW2. Helmets were fitted with the badge of their branch of service in this example, a helmeted cuirasse with lettering RF. Other troops such as infantry wore a flaming grenade, the artillery crossed cannons, chasseurs a bugle horn, etc. This helmet was originally horizon blue, and has been repainted greenish grey, as per the new regulations for khaki uniforms which replaced the horizon blue. In 1926 a new version of the Adrian helmet was produced with the skull in one piece without a rim, sometimes with an aluminium comb, which were more for Défence Passive, Sécurité, Pompiers (civil defence, fire service) or police. New badges were also produced as a round medaillion with the insignia of the arm of service. The helmets were painted khaki, older helmets often repainted in olive green. During world war two both types of helmet were widely in use. This helmet still has a good original lining in the first pattern and of blackened leather, some of the corrugated aluminium liner parts still present. The orginal chinstrap is missing. This was found with an older replacement.

x The 1915 forage cap or "bonnet de police", usually not piped, this example has a dark blue piping associated with infantry, etc. With the piping and being of slightly finer quality, would have been for a junior officer or senior n.c.o. The cap is unlined, apart from a fine brown leather sweatband. Earlier examples had a white cotton lining. Vareuse type 1915, horizon blue. Missing are the collar patches with the regimental number. This is probably a late war issue, as it has survived in reasonable condition. Col droit, upstanding collar, general issue. Traces of insignia can be seen. Buttons were of pewter instead of previous brass. The collar has a black liner and some small round metal buttons for attaching a white collar liner if required. The collar patches were in matching horizon blue with dark blue applied numbers, at each outer edge was a double soutâche in thin dark blue braid. Plain straight pocket flats without button. A repair had to be done to the side of the pocket, as it was torn. The cuffs seem to have been altered at some stage. On the left rear is a small buttoned loop for supporting the belt Rear view, 2 side pleats as always. Liner of rough white cotton, staining. Various issue stamps and a property stamp of Traonouez, a major French film requisites company Various issue stamps Regimental stamp of 101e Régiment de Ligne More issue or manufacturer stamps and a leather reinforcement for the belt loop Soldiers of the 101e Régiment de Ligne, 1915 Photos, Musée de l'Armée, Paris Some articles of equipment, 1893/14 type belt with bayonet frog, Y-straps and one of 3 cartridge pouches, 2 of which were worn front and one central rear, these hooked onto the wire attachments on the Y-straps. This was still standard in 1939/40, although new 2-pocket pouches were introduced. Two-prong brass buckle on belt, fittings were also made of iron as from 1915. Ceinturon Bretelles Cartouchière / boîte à cartouche Baionette Lebel Berthier avec fourreau Gusset de Baionette Standard M.1915 Adrien helmet with badge for Génie / Engineers. Original liner, coloured cloth edging missing, original chinstrap has been replaced by a two-piece strap, half remaining. The colour was changed from horizon blue to khaki around 1935, this has a greygreen overpaint for WW2, the horizon blue still visible in places. A charger clip for 8mm Lebel-Berthier cartridges. Lebel M.1886/93 8mm and Lebel-Berthier 1915 8mm (ex archive photo of my collection) Centre: Berthier carbine 1916 for cavalry, artillery, etc. (ex archive photo of my collection) Some items previously owned included this artillery steel helmet, a képi for a capitaine, 14e Régiment d' Hussards and 2 WW1 French bayonets (ex archive photo of my collection)

A Napoleonic period Flintlock Cavalry Pistol Mlle. An 13 - the year 13 after the French Revolution of 1789. Condition is average for the age, overall staining and some smoothed out pitting. The trigger guard is a rough cast brass replacement obtained from a company in Paris many years ago. This was so rough, I had to file and smooth some of the edges and surfaces. There was no screw hole bored, so I got this done with precision by a skilled jeweller, in the Karl-Marx-Allee (E.Berlin), around the corner from where I was living at the time. The part itself was originally made for the Mlle.An.No.9, but I was able fit this, after some carefull filing on this part. It is still not a perfect fit, but a good 90-95%, and not particularly noticeable. Apart from that, the hammer lip screw is an old replacement, but not correct. The ramrod is also not correct, probably from another weapon, and stuck fast. The whole Weapon has been repeatedly cleaned with gun oil (Balistol), with a special oil and wax for the wooden parts. The lock has been carefully removed and soaked in a bath of parafin oil, thoroughly dried and re-oiled, re-assembled. In all the weapon is now in a good state of conservation. The lock with moderate staining, is marked Manufr.Imple.de Chatelleraut, there is a date stamp to the left of the breech end of the barrel 1805 or 6 or 8 ??? All brass fittings are marked with a French Imperial Crown, others have a stamped L.V - possibly Légion 5 ??? It can be assumed that this pistol was captured locally, it could have been in the battle of Göhrde in 1813, which is just across the river Elbe, or even elsewhere. It probably had no further military use, although the Prussians adopted many types of French military weapons, such as swords, muskets and cuirasses, it is not recorded that captured pistols were taken into service. The dealer told me, he got it from a local farmer, probably had been in a barn or somewhere like that for ages. Purchased around 1994 from a Hamburg antiques dealer This jeweller in East Berlin was able to make the final adjustment to the cast brass trigger guard purchased from Le Comptoir de l'Arquebuserie, Paris. The hole for the screw had to be bored with great precision in the right place for fitting the trigger guard to the pistol. The lady looked rather surprised when she saw the items in question!

A French M.1803 heavy cavalry broadsword - Cuirassier Pallasch. Back of blade with engraving, Manufr. d'Arms de Klingenthal, Juillet 1851. At the back of the flat brass hilt quillon is a V for Versailles ordonnance stamp, further, a small B and No.29. Total length ca. 113 cm. Copper grip binding is missing, orginal grip leather. The scabbard has some pitting and has been somewhat restored and blackened by a previous collector. These weapons were also introduced into the Prussian army after 1814, captured stocks of French weapons were also used after 1870/71. Purchased at a London arms fair in 1984.

- transferred from other section, re-edited with new photos 1789 An old medal, which I got in my schooldays, an original medal of the French Revolution. This was apparently worn on a red, white and blue ribbon of specific type, now missing. The ring was missing, now replaced. The medal, of patinated bronze, rhombic in form, depicts broken chains, an open lock and shakles, the edge inscribed: LA LIBERTÉ CONQUISE, 14 JUILLET 1789. The other side depicts an upright sword piercing a wreath, the Latin edge inscription: IGNORANT NE DATOS NE QUISQUAM SERVIAT ENSES Saint Helena Medal awarded in 1851 for all former veterans of Napoleons Grande Armée, during the Presidency of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon III). The medal is of copper coloured bronze and has reverse inscriptions Campagne de 1792 À 1815 around the edge, and in the centre. On a replaced, correct ribbon, which was identical to the later CdG. À SES COMPAGNONS DE GLOIRE - SA DÈRNIÈRE PENSÉE - Ste HÉLENE 5 MAI 1821 This was also awarded to former German veterans in his armies. Combattants of the War of 1870/71, toned bronze medal, averse the usual helmeted "Marianne" bust and inscription Republique Francaise, to the reverse, flags and military trophies, at the base of which the inscription Aux Défenseurs de la Patrie. Légion d'Honneur in it's lowest class (Ritterkreuz), the last version from 1870-1951, awarded for both world wars. A new version appeared after 1951 without the date inscription. The cross is of enameled silver, both medallions averse and reverse are of Gold and enamels. The averse bears the date 1870. This example, almost mint, obtained from a Hamburg antique shop in the late 1970s. Médaille Militäire, version 1870-1951, as awarded in both world wars.Silver and silver gilt, was awarded to all ranks. The reverse has the inscription: Some loss of blue enamel to the reverse. VALEUR ET DISCIPLINE. All on original ribbons, apart from the first medal.

Two French bayonets from the WW1 period. The example with the hooked quillion and white metal handle is for the Lebel M.1886/93 model rifle. The other example was produced for the new Mannlicher-Berthier M.93/15 rifle, and has no hooked quillion, but will fit both rifles. The blades are cruciform. Both weapons have various ordonance marks, and in very good condition. Quite a few years ago I had both these rifles, the M.1886/93 with the nice solid construction and woowork as well as a nice Berthier M.1916, unfortunately, traded these in for something else. A Berthier Mod. 1892/16 bayonet for the cavalry or artillery carbine. Non-matching serial numbers to scabbard. These models have the shortened hook quillion, probably St.Étiènne made, scabbard is marked with an S. In good arsenal stored condition. These weapons were also used at the beginning of World War 2. Captured stocks of weapons including Berthier carbines were issued to the Volkssturm and many other units in the last days of the war

A French M.1777 musket from the Manufr.Imple de Charleville, which at a later date has been shorted to a length of 131 cm. This weapon was discovered in a sorry state in an antique shop in Berlin-Friedrichshain in the year 2000. It has at some stage been captured and re-issued to the Prussian army, as indicated by various marks and shortening. Orginal marking to lockplate has been erased, but still visible, presumably Manufr.Imple. de Charleville . or - St.Ètiènne (?) At the root of the barrel is marked S.G.1.C.18, which presumably is Schloss-Garde, 1.Compagnie, weapon no.18, and a date of 1811. Under the barrel is also a crowned P mark for Magazin Potsdam, where the weapon was altered. The M.1777 saw much service in the Prussian army after 1815, later in use with reserve regiments until after 1870. Has been since well restored. Some pronounced pitting to barrel and buttplate. The hammer is a modern replacement by Pedersoli, the battery spring was re-made by Peter Dyson of England, hand-forged. Difficult to get a full length picture of a long weapon

A Chassepot M.1866 sabre bayonet. The back of the blade has the usual engraving of make and date, in this case, barely legibel, Manufr. Imple. de St. Ètiènne, Aout 18... probably 1870. After September 1870, these were marked Manufr.Nationale, as the Emperor Napoleon III was deposed after his capture at Sedan on 2nd September, the republic was declared in Paris. Blade has some staining and pitting, scabbard has some staining, not matched numbering. A Gras M.1875 bayonet. The back of the blade has the inscription, Manufr. d'Armes de St.Ètiènne, Avril 1880.This example in good condition, with just a few small aeas of pitting on scabbard with orginal blueing. Large stocks of these weapons were manufactured, and remaining stocks also used by reserve units in WW1. A French M.1777 socket bayonet from the Napoleonic period. No scabbard remaining. The bayonet has the usual French ordonance marks and a further weapon number, added in later years. This item was purchased from a Danish dealer at a Berlin arms fair in 2001. It can be assumed that this example was one of many captured during the Napoleonic wars and used in another army. The Danish army had previously been under Napoleons command and had used French weaponry, as did some of the German states.