This polished brass fire helmet is the French Model 1855. Its features include a large top comb, frontal plate of the city's fire service, brass chinscales, an extended neck guard, and a red feather plume. The frontal plate bears the title of the Romillé fire service, a commune located in Brittany region of the north-west portion of France. The interior lining is missing from this example.

This M-1855 came into use during the Second French Empire (1852-1870) under Napoleon III. Then it was worn with the imperial eagle on the frontal plate. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the eagle was replaced with the city's emblem.¹

Country: France	War Period: Age of Nation Building
Garment Type: Civil Helmet	Year Made:
Identification: FRH-305-0411