Early LMCH

[Pep]

Well used helmet.  May 2005 mfg.

Different suspension inside.  Are these scarce?

[blurryface07]

Not sure about rarity, but good looking helmet.

[Radio Operator]

Nice helmet! These early ones pop up from time to time as well as the sling suspension system on their own, but they are getting rarer to see. If I remember correctly, after some digging I found the official order on the switch from the sling to the pad system was in October of 2006 (unfortunately my link to that memo isn't working anymore) as it was found to be much better in protecting against blunt trauma. So, the original liner system only lasted 3ish years and past helmets were retrofitted to the pads. 

 

 

 

Here's the order talking about using the pads over the sling system: LIGHTWEIGHT HELMET SUSPENSION SYSTEM POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION;GUIDANCE > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Messages Display