iraqi m1980

[Lidman]

Very nice looking M80,
I know next to nothing about these.
It's time that changed.

Brad.

[KradSpam]

I had one of these once, the rim was terrible though, the layers of material were all separating. Nice example of a lid from modern history.

[James C]

Thanks guys for the great replies ,i really like these lids and as battle gear said there full of character and I'm sure no two M80's are similar ,each one seems to have different wear and tear marks making each one unique ,thanks MM for the info regarding these lids and Iv'e learnt something new about them , i think there ballistic qualities are a lot to be desired and offer about as much protection as a construction workers hard hat ,kradspam its sounds from your description that your's was the M90 model ,i believe these were fitted with a rubber trim as the rim tended to delaminate over time ,this doesn't seem to be the case on the M80

[KradSpam]

You are probably right by the sound of it mate, although the rubber band was not present on mine. It must have become detached. If I remember right I got it through a British soldier from the Parachute Regt so the nature of it's capture was probably not delicate

[MySonsDad]

James,

Here are a couple photos of our M90 and you are correct, the rubber bumper was to protect the edge from chipping and delaminating. Hard to belive the Iraqi's came up with a worse constructed helmet than the previously used M80 (South Korean M78).

Attachment 390130

Attachment 390131

Seems like about 1/2 of the M90s are missing the rubber bumper. Not sure if they were issed that way or of they simply fell off in the field.

Regards,

Russ

[Opex]

Hi James.

Excellent examples, when time allows I will post up my Iraqi collection.

I am a big fan of these genre helmets, and the more scratched up and Arabic script the better ( not that I can read Arabic sadly).

My first one was a bring back from a local RMC, but over time, and my poor memory, I forgot where he picked it up!!!

Look forward to more from your collection.

[relicz]

I was in a room with shelves full of about fifty or so of these several weeks ago. A local dealer purchased all he could find, mainly from US vets from the Gulf War. He has been sitting on some of them for 10 plus years.

[Jack59]

Some of those helmets made it trough many wars, lets have a look at another survivor.
A classic, it's green shell repainted tan & finally with a generous coat of whatever similar colour was handy.













Close up on the multi coating of paints.


Note the yellow paint on the side of the rim, we are in for a surprise inside the shell.








Inside the shell, look at all those yellow dots, I wonder their purpose?




The early Korean M76s had often a mix of kaki & green strapping for the liners
& chinstraps. This one is perhaps an early export, note also the Korean stamping.


Arab script.


The cradle could be easily removed, holding with 6 clips.






Remains of script on the sweatband.


Often a net was put on the shell, I've put one for the look
without clipping it on by respect to the helmet's condition.

[Jack59]

Once & a while a post will go unnoticed, it happened for this one.
I believe this helmet deserve a second chance.





Note now the helmet's chinstrap of the front soldier & the one with a sweater are attached on top of the shell, a first for me.


Link: iraqi m1980
Thanks & enjoy.
Jack

[James C]

Thanks for nudging my thread Jack and great example of yours shown and looks like it has had a white over paint which is an interesting colouration ,i have a similar example in this colour as most seem to be a variation of desert tan ,great to see the original Korean acceptance stamp also so thanks for sharing