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Peru. Model 34 helmet of the Peruvian Army
Military cooperation between Peru and France was consolidated at the beginning of the 20th century, when numerous Peruvian officers were trained at the École de Guerre in Paris. This pro-French relationship influenced Peruvian foreign policy, which aligned with the Allies during the First and Second World Wars, although its participation was largely symbolic due to its distance from the combat fronts. Within the framework of a broad military modernization program promoted in the late 1920s, the government of Augusto B. Leguía turned to France to equip the armed forces with steel helmets, following the military prestige France enjoyed at the time.
After initial trials with the Adrian Model 15 helmet, Peru placed a significant order for the Adrian Model 26 helmet, which was adopted in 1934 as the Model 34 helmet and apparently produced by the French company Franck. This helmet, decorated with the emblem of the Inca sun “Inti,” was used in combat during the border conflict with Ecuador and remained in service until the 1950s. Due to the lack of French spare parts, many helmets were repainted and refurbished with locally manufactured components. Eventually, the Model 34 was withdrawn and replaced by the U.S. M-1 helmet, obtained from Second World War surplus.
This example is a French M26 helmet with its original leather liner and chinstrap, fitted with the Peruvian Army front plate and painted green.
