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USMC PASGT - NOT Lightweight Helmet


MattOravik
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MattOravik

I just picked up this helmet for $40. Looks like a regular Unicor PASGT updated with a better liner.

 

-Matt.

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Mercenary25

It is PAGST helmet upgraded with USMC LWH crown/suspension system. Very good purchase. The crown/suspension system itself is worth $40-60 depending on the buyers.

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I agree with Merc, this is well a common PASGT with a LWH first model suspension system.

 

That being said, I'm little more nuanced about the "very good purchase" because this modification is usualy done by airsofters / reenactors / collectors who "do not have enough money" to buy the real usmc LWH. Externally, the shield is the same for both PASGT and USMC LWH, except that there're two additional holes on the PASGT shield for the chin strap. The paint is also slighlty different. But add one marpat reversible helmet cover and nobody can differenciate them.

 

This is usualy a good alternative for airsofter / reenactor / collector when they do not want to pay hundreds dollars for one real USMC LWH helmet. They just have to buy an old pasgt helmet (or just the shield), and the suspension system. A complete PASGT helmet in such condition can be found on ebay for +- $50, the LWH syspension system can be found for less than $15 (a few month ago, a surplus seller had them for sale at $8 each, brand new - or a least in perfect condition - and buy it now option on ebay - for this price you had the original netting crown and the leather headband but no chin strap)...You can also buy the USMC chin strap for $15-20 and you've a complete helmet very similar to the usmc LWH for a cheaper price (less than $75-80). For comparison, the real usmc LWHs are usualy for sale on ebay for $175-300..."good deal" :lol:

 

For example, I know some guys from the so-called 76th MEU. Well, you'll tell me it doesn't exist, and I'ld say you've right...but this is the name of an airsoft team in Normandy, France. Majority of them (not to say all member) bought PASGT helmet to upgrade them with the USMC suspension system, chin strap and helmet cover. So for their game they use a "faked" LWH helmet, but nobody can tell it's fake. I'm not an airsofter, but I know that because I met a few of these guys in a militaria show in Rouen, Normandy and so I've seen their helmets. This is just an example to explain that this is a common practice in the airsoft community, when they do not want to spend hundreds dollars for an original USMC LWH !

 

And I do not blame them because at least they do not destroy the first model of LWH with the old suspension system that're very rare now !!! I largely prefer they modify/upgrade the old PASGT than use a real LWH that're just rare. The problem with the first model of LWH (with the old netting suspension system) is that some of them were updated with the foam pads by marines directly (just remember a regulation forced that the helmets use the pads instead of the old suspension system because this offer a better protection) or by airsofters / reenactors who followed the evolution of their idols. Yes, this is very shocking, but this is the reality ! :mad: In addition to this, they were not used during some time, because the second variant of LWH, with pads, were issued around 2005. this is just to explain that the first suspension system (netting) LWH were used during a very short period because they were quickly replaced by the pads, and that some of them were upgreaded with pads. So find an original and good condition LWH with its original suspension system is not so common because some were upgraded ! I do not mean this is impossible (just for example, I already found two complete, slightly used for $50-70 each), but they will simply become each year rarest and they will become realy expensive in future. That's certain !

 

For me, this is not real at all, but modified by someone who just wanted an helmet with the same looking than the usmc LWH. I seriously doubt a marines would do this for his combat service, simply because they're issued helmet for their military service. When the LWH appeared, ALL the PASGT were turned off and replaced by LWH. The PASGT has a retirement as training helmet, or were equipped to other countries' troops, like for example the Iraqi Army.

 

For a collection, I'm affraid it has no real value. :pinch: :ermm:

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Is it not possible at all that the marines updated some of their old PASGT helmets? This liner is LWH exclusive?

 

-Matt.

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Yes, this liner / suspension system was devoted only for the USMC LWH. I'd better say for the first model of Lightweight Helmet used during a period between 1999 to 2005, before the replacement of the inside liner by pads.

 

Firstly, marines had to change the liner themselve to upgrade with pads (change of regulation), but later the Lightweight Helmet were directly produced and issued with pads. They followed the change of regulation made by the Army for pads after some tests realized that the pads are better for shocks.

 

I see absolutely no reason why a marine would lost hist time to use an old PASGT helmet and upgrade it with the LWH liner while he was issued a real lightweight helmet for his military service. If the LWH was available for ground troops, then all the former models of helmets are turned back. Do not forget each time something new appeared, the previous stuff is out of service, moreover when it concerns ballistic protections.

 

So in my opinion, this is absolutely not an original helmet but more than probably made by an airsofters / collectors / reenactors who didn't wanted to pay the full price for a LWH but wanted something with the same looking. That's a cheaper alternative for gamers or collectors.

 

I collect modern helmet, I already have some LWHs, saw some more and I NEVER met this practice (put a LWH inside liner inside the PASGT) EXCEPT in airsoft hands. If the guy simply wanted to update his PASGT, then other kits (like the Oregon kit) were specialy available thatfor but not the LWH inside liner that was available only for replacement in various kit. For the LWH, I know three differents kits with replacement pieces : one for the chin strap, one for the netting crown, and a last kit that contains two leather headband and a small part of the chin strap.

 

Hope this helps,

 

P-E

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 6 years later...

I know this post is a very old post, but I would like to share some info about the Marine Corps transition from the PASGT to the lightweight helmet for future users who see this post.During the transitional period there wasn't enough Lightweight helmets for every Marine so the Marine Corp had to upgrade the old PASGTs with the lightweight helmet suspension.I've seen pictures from Operation Phantom Fury and the Marines were wearing a mix of Lightweight helmets and PASGT helmets.This helmet could be from that transitional period or it was done by a collecter or airsofter.

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