The Modèle 1951 helmet was a military helmet used by the French military (Army, Navy, Air Force and Gendarmerie), iconic of the Algerian War. It replaced a variety of helmets used during the Second World War, including the Adrian helmet, Modèle 1945 helmet and American-supplied M1 Helmet.
The Modèle 1951 was designed to have the same general shape as the US M1 Helmet, in an effort towards standardisation within NATO. The two differ in that the M1 has a longer visor and a more pronounced downwards slope on the sides. The M1 also has a nape strap while the Modèle 1951 does not.
The Modèle 1951 comprised a heavy external cover, made of 1.2 mm of an amagnetic alloy of manganese steel, and a lighter inner helmet.
The Modèle 1951 was produced until 1976, before being superseded by the Modèle 1978 helmet. It nonetheless remained in service well into the 1980s.
France - French Armed Forces, Gendarmerie Nationale
Burkina Faso - Burkina Faso Armed Forces
Cambodia - Khmer National Armed Forces
Cameroon - Cameroon Armed Forces
India - Indian Armed Forces, Indian Police Service
Israel - Israel Defense Forces[1]
Kenya - Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Police
Lebanon - Lebanese Armed Forces, Internal Security Forces
Morocco - Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie
Pakistan - Pakistan Armed Forces and paramilitaries
Portugal - Portuguese Army, Portuguese Republican National Guard
Senegal - Armed Forces of Senegal, National Gendarmerie
South Africa - South African Defence Force, South African Police
Tunisia - Tunisian Armed Forces, Tunisian National Guard