Iraqi Republican Guard Helmet

[BrodieBartfast]

Picked this one up a few months ago, supposedly a bringback from a British veteran of the Gulf War. Internally in rather poor condition, missing the sweatband and chinstrap, but externally very presentable. It appears to have two layers of sand-coloured paint over the factory green, and features a single red triangle indicative of Republican Guard use.



B.B.

[Watchdog]

As I recall (I was in 7 Armd Bde at the time in question) this is typical of the helmets brought back from Op Granby. I actually don't think it is missing a sweatband as the Iraqi Army tended to wear them like this either as is or with a woollen watch cap or similar worn like a cap comforter. I traded mine with a Dutch friend when I used to be a regular visitor to the militaria fair in Arnhem (now defunct I think) as I wasn't much into helmets and it was really just a "bring back". In many ways now I wish I had kept it and the other stuff I had. I can't even recall what I traded it for. Probably some Soviet junk! Oh well!

It's a nice piece of modern history. Good find.

Regards

Mark

[BrodieBartfast]

As I recall (I was in 7 Armd Bde at the time in question) this is typical of the helmets brought back from Op Granby. I actually don't think it is missing a sweatband as the Iraqi Army tended to wear them like this either as is or with a woollen watch cap or similar worn like a cap comforter. I traded mine with a Dutch friend when I used to be a regular visitor to the militaria fair in Arnhem (now defunct I think) as I wasn't much into helmets and it was really just a "bring back". In many ways now I wish I had kept it and the other stuff I had. I can't even recall what I traded it for. Probably some Soviet junk! Oh well!

It's a nice piece of modern history. Good find.

Regards

Mark

Some interesting background information, thank you. I cannot imagine being in the shoes of an Iraqi soldier issued with something like this. The ballistic protection they offered must have been nonexistent, though I suppose it would have been better than nothing.

B.B.

[Aldo]

Nice helmet! The lack of ballistic protection and the red target on the head not the most desirable helmet for combat.

[BrodieBartfast]

Nice helmet! The lack of ballistic protection and the red target on the head not the most desirable helmet for combat.

A bit like the tricolors on German helmets. History does like to repeat itself!

B.B.

[Aldo]

Yes I thought the same thing. I curse the regulation that required soldiers to remove the tricolors. I'm grateful not all Germans followed orders strictly