The Adrian M 1915 helmet, inspired by the medieval bourguignotte, was the military helmet worn by French troops during the First World War. It was designed as a matter of urgency when millions of soldiers found themselves engaged in trench warfare, and head wounds became the cause of a significant proportion of battlefield casualties: 77 % of Poilus' wounds were to the head before its adoption, the figure falling to 22 % in 1916.
The Adrian helmet was designed to protect soldiers from the shrapnel of shells exploding over the trenches. The presence of a crest is reminiscent of cavalry helmets, designed to absorb shocks from above (the crest is crushed, then the shock is transmitted to the helmet bomb).

The Adrian M 1915 helmet, inspired by the medieval bourguignotte, was the military helmet worn by French troops during the First World War. It was designed as a matter of urgency when millions of soldiers found themselves engaged in trench warfare, and head wounds became the cause of a significant proportion of battlefield casualties: 77 % of Poilus' wounds were to the head before its adoption, the figure falling to 22 % in 1916.
The Adrian helmet was designed to protect soldiers from the shrapnel of shells exploding over the trenches. The presence of a crest is reminiscent of cavalry helmets, designed to absorb shocks from above (the crest is crushed, then the shock is transmitted to the helmet bomb).