PSH-77

PSH-77
Type	Spec ops helmet
Designation	PSH-77
Place of Origin	Switzerland
Produced	1977-???
Manufacturer(s)	Tig Bicord AG, GARANT Schutztechnik GmbH
Material(s)	titanium
Evolved from	Unknown
Evolved into	Altyn
Service
Used by	GSG 9 Alpha Group Vympel Diensteinheit IX Special Anti-Terrorist Unit
Wars	Counter-Terrorism in Germany Soviet–Afghan War 1993 Russian constitutional crisis

The PSH-77 is a titanium helmet of Swiss origin.

Overview

The PSH-77 is a crash helmet made of titanium and has installed a speaker, a volume control, a plug for connecting a handheld radio and the recording of a microphone. A ballistic visor can be attached to the helmet, and the helmet also has metal angles which serve as a stop for the visor.

The inner lining is the same as in the "Springerhelm" (German M31) but the chin strap was changed. The chin strap of the PSH-77 had to be changed due to its considerably higher weight. The weight of the helmet does not allow the attachment of the chin strap by means of the open and closed eyelet because the chin strap could come loose from the open eyelet.

In order to prevent the helmet from wobbling on the wearer's head, an additional neck strap has been fastened, which can be fitted to the head of the wearer.

The radio connections on the male end were a 2-pin set that fit Motorola connectors making them fairly universal. The earliest and also rarest examples lack the communication set.

History

Switzerland

In the 1980s, only two companies possessed the means to produce titanium helmets: the Swiss company Tig Bicord AG and Ulbrechts of Austria. Both companies pursued a similar style helmet which maximized coverage of the wearer's head while providing radio communications and a removable bulletproof visor. The former used a polyurethane liner while the latter used a traditional German suspension system consisting of a metal band and leather cap.

Chapter 1 The Tig and the Altyn - History of Russian counter terror helmets

The PSH-77 helmet was first produced by Tig Bicord AG in the late 1970s. It is unknown what the PSH-77 designation stands for, however the 77 suggests that 1977 might be the year of introduction of the helmet, also the helmet is commonly known as TIG helmet after its manufacturer.

West Germany

The PSH-77 was also used by the German GSG-9 from 1978-1999.

Soviet Union

The PSH-77 was purchased by the Soviet Union in the late 1970s in order to be used by KGB units such as the Alpha and Vympel thus becoming the first spec ops helmet of the USSR. The KGB at the time desired a crash helmet for its special purpose units similar to what TIG and Ulbrechts produced, so a number of PSH-77 helmets were purchased. It is also assumed that Ulbrechts helmets were purchased as well since several have been recently released from the TsSN inventory.

The first documented use of the PSH-77 in combat was during Operation Storm-333 at the beginning of the Soviet–Afghan War and was used throughout the war. In the 1990s, the helmet continued being used by the Russian spetsnaz in the Chechen Wars and well into the 21st century.

The helmet became a staple for the Soviet and later Russian helmet manufacturing and as such examples were handed over to NII Stali for replication. NII Stali then developed the capacity to produce stamped titanium helmet shells, which as mentioned before was previously only available to Switzerland and Austria.

East Germany

The East German Diensteinheit IX used the PSH-77.

Yugoslavia

in the 1980s by the Yugoslavian Special Anti-Terrorist Unit.

Into the 1990's during the beginning of the Yugoslavian Civil Wars, the use of the PSH-77 was greatly widespread. From Slovenian police units using it, to Croatian police. But it also saw great use by the Bosnian ARBiH in the early stages of the war, being a common sight in Sarajevo with MUP security units. Also used by Serbian Milicija in special operation units. Later seeing combat action among the Macedonian Army in Tetovo, during the KLA insurgency. With the helmet being used all the way up to the early 2000's by regular troops/police.

Gallery

Backside view

Backside close up

Side view

Liner

A PSH-77 helmet with cover worn by Vladimir Nikolayevich Shiryayev a member of Alpha Group during the Soviet–Afghan War

A Tig Bicord AG manufactured PSH-77 produced in 1982

Raised visor

Right side view, note the angle stop

Left side view

Rear

The angle stop at the top of the helmet

Liner

Markings

Manufacturer markings

Box

Box key

Inside the box

In popular culture

Media	Notes	Date
Counter-Strike	Worn with helmet cover by the GSG 9	2000
Freeman: Guerrilla Warfare		2018
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4	It is a fictionalized depiction and the visor has screws similar to the K6-3 or the Lynx. It is worn by Battery.	2018