USGI Sun Wind & Dust Goggles Class 2 (SWDG) - New
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The 1974 stamped on the goggles is the specification date, not necessarily the manufacture date of the specific pair. Goggles in the photo were manufactured in 2001.
(We do not guarantee the ballistic rating is to specification today)
- NSN 8465-01-328-8268
- PN 806805
- SPO 100-01-D-4002, Order No. 0005
- Lot No. 62
- Manufacturer: Mine Safety Appliances Company, Pittsburgh, PA 15230
- Contents: 1 pair, clear lens + neutral gray lens
Features
Class 2 (Ballistic Rated): Type 3 (Clear) & Type 4 (Neutral Grey) lenses are ballistic rated for fragmented impact protection (These are surplus items that has been in storage for decades, we cannot guarantee the ballistic rating is to specification today)
Dual-lens kit — swap between clear lenses for low light/night use and grey lenses for bright sun glare, all without needing a full new pair
Snap-fastener lens changes — lenses pop in and out quickly in the field, no tools required
Vented frame — reduces fogging during physical activity or temperature swings
Foam-padded interior — cushions the face and helps seal out dust and wind
Elastic strap — fits over most head sizes and works over prescription eyewear
Comes with a hard storage case — genuine G.I. issue case keeps goggles and spare lenses protected between uses
Mil-spec durability — designed to survive rough handling in combat vehicle and field environments, not just casual wear
Dedicated slot for Prescription Glasses -- As shown in one of the photos the goggles have a dedicated slot for a variety of personal glasses and government issued prescription lenses.
History & Fun Facts
The SWDG traces back to U.S. military specification MIL-G-635 (dating to at least 1970) and its later revision, MIL-G-43914, which formally created multiple protection classes: Class 1 for wind and dust, Class 2 for sun, wind, and dust, and higher classes adding flame and fragmentation protection. The design was originally intended for combat vehicle crewmen, meant to be worn as part of a face mask system to shield against blowing debris, glare, and flash exposure inside tanks and armored vehicles — a very different mission than glacier eyewear, built instead for mechanized warfare rather than mountain troops. Because the goggles were engineered to accept swappable lenses under a single durable frame, the same basic design has stayed in U.S. military inventories for decades with only incremental updates, and it's since become a surplus and airsoft/outdoor staple precisely because the vented rubber frame and snap-in lens system were ahead of their time for cheap, field-serviceable eye protection.