Show off your clear shell helmets

[Gridiron Heroes]

Clear shell helmets have long been my favorite style of helmet. I've probably owned about 2 dozen since I've been collecting. I've only got four currently, but hope to pick up some more soon. I'd like to see what else anyone else has. Post em' if you got em'.

Temple and North Dakota MacGregor helmets and Florida State Kelley helmet.

[Gridiron Heroes]

Georgia Tech Kelley helmet. Both the FSU and GT were recent pick ups from the amazing Curtis at Helmet Hut.

[tom1315]

Thanks for starting this thread. Really enjoyed seeing the ACC helmets of Florida State and Ga Tech. Nice pictures. I love the numerous 'battle scars' on the Florida State helmet. I primarily collect ACC modern helmets, and love the ones banged up and game worn the best.
I watched for a while these on eBay and at Helmet Huts sites and just could not pull the trigger...glad they found one who will truly appreciate these gamers...if you grow weary of them keep me in mind...I have been thinking of reducing the number I have since I have some multiples from some schools to allow me funds to pick up new lids...yet each one I have is unique and it's fun to search and find out who did wear the helmet if I did not know at the acquisition point.

Very nice lids Gridiron! Happy 4th!

Tom
Go State! NC State grad 1981

[BrianK]

I second what Tom said. I watched several of these and bid on a couple. Glad they're in hands, and thanks for sharing photos. I bet you grabbed that Washington State one from me this week too. Hahahahahahaha.

[Gridiron Heroes]

Yes, I did pick up the Cougars helmet. That one is a beauty and I'm looking forward to it.

[Gridiron Heroes]

Tom,
Send me an email at gridironheroes22@yahoo.com I have a trade proposition you might be interested in.

Regards, Shawn

[G1X]

Below are photos of the only clear shell helmet I've ever had in my collection. The helmet was worn by Paul Robinson in 1974 when he played for the league-champion Birmingham Americans of the long-gone World Football League. Robinson, the AFL Rookie-of-the Year in 1968 when he was with the Cincinnati Bengals (also played with the Houston Oilers in the early 1970s), wore this helmet until it was cracked below the left ear hole during a game in the latter part of the year (see the last photo). At that point, he switched to a Riddell for the remainder of the season.

This is absolutely my favorite style of helmet, bar none. The only disappointment about this helmet is that Birmingham put the decals and stripes over the outside of its MacGregor helmets. Most of the players wore Riddell, so I am guessing they placed the decals/stripes on the outside of the MacGregors for convenience.

I wore a MacGregor my first year of playing semi-pro football in 1977, but quickly switched to a Bike as I never felt particularly well-protected wearing the MacGregor with the criss-cross (waffle) padding. I sold my MacGregor for a few bucks to a teammate two years later, and in the opening game of the year, he suffered a bad concussion when he was blindsided covering a punt. He never played again.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League and Atlanta Falcons jerseys, and Willie McGee and Darren Lewis game-used items.

[Gridiron Heroes]

Mark,
That is one sweet helmet. You don't see many of those around! Thanks for posting.

Shawn

[Jacuzzi]

SMU Helmet from Bob Hope's collection. (Red clips were broken)

http://i51.tinypic.com/140gd8l.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/25yzq4j.jpg

[Jacuzzi]

Oklahoma Sooners.

http://i54.tinypic.com/1h7yqe.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/14wwyde.jpg

[Jacuzzi]

FSU Seminoles. Greg Allen & Bobby Bowden signatures. (Red clips were broken & no facemask) Supposedly Greg Allen's helmet.

http://i52.tinypic.com/29deeeb.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/2gtu90o.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/1196ni9.jpg

[Jacuzzi]

SMU Helmet in Bob Hopes house.

http://i52.tinypic.com/2a4oj1x.jpg

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Wow, this thread is starting to be very cool! Jacuzzi, nice to see you posting on GUU again! Thanks for sharing those awesome photos of Bob Hope's collection! You might want to post that last photo of Bob Hope's collection into the Show Me Your Memorabilia Room thread.

[Jacuzzi]

Wow, this thread is starting to be very cool! Jacuzzi, nice to see you posting on GUU again! Thanks for sharing those awesome photos of Bob Hope's collection! You might want to post that last photo of Bob Hope's collection into the Show Me Your Memorabilia Room thread.

Thanks. I mostly lurk :) All the photos except for the last one in Bob Hope's house are helmets in my collection. The SMU helmet used to belong to Bob Hope, but now it's mine! :D

[Gridiron Heroes]

Those are some sweet clear shells. That's one of the very, very few SMU clear shells I've seen out there.

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Thanks. I mostly lurk :) All the photos except for the last one in Bob Hope's house are helmets in my collection. The SMU helmet used to belong to Bob Hope, but now it's mine! :D

Jacuzzi, that's pretty incredible to not only own a Maxpro clear shell SMU helmet, but also to have acquired it from the personal collection of Bob Hope. That's incredible! Just curious, how did you get a helmet from Bob Hope's collection? Was his sports memorabilia collection auctioned off to the public at some point?

[mad87man]

Hate to be a dumbass and ask this but what is a clear shell helmet exactly?

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Hate to be a dumbass and ask this but what is a clear shell helmet exactly?

Hi Mad87man, your question is a very good one (and not dumb at all). Clear shell helmets are football helmets that have the paint, stripes and logos applied to the helmet beneath a clear outer shell, so that the logos and stripes stay intact and do not have to be replaced. Only a few helmet manufacturers made them in the 70's and 80's (Maxpro and Kelly brands, I believe), and they are very rare and very desirable to many football helmet collectors. Here are two links that you can read that gives great background on clear shell helmets. The first link is from the incredible Helmet Hut website that features an amazing Cincinnati Bengals Maxpro clear shell helmet and a great history of clear shell helmets:

http://www.helmethut.com/Bengals/Simmons.html

This next link is a story on Uniwatch featuring my friend and Seahawks helmet collector, Mike Princip, and his amazing creation of a Seahawks Kelly clear shell (which is also featured on Mike's www.greenglare.com (http://www.greenglare.com) website):

http://www.uni-watch.com/2008/04/07/washington-monument/

[ivo610]

Hi Mad87man, your question is a very good one (and not dumb at all). Clear shell helmets are football helmets that have the paint, stripes and logos applied to the helmet beneath a clear outer shell, so that the logos and stripes stay intact and do not have to be replaced. Only a few helmet manufacturers made them in the 70's and 80's (Maxpro and Kelly brands, I believe), and they are very rare and very desirable to many football helmet collectors. Here are two links that you can read that gives great background on clear shell helmets. The first link is from the incredible Helmet Hut website that features an amazing Cincinnati Bengals Maxpro clear shell helmet and a great history of clear shell helmets:

http://www.helmethut.com/Bengals/Simmons.html

This next link is a story on Uniwatch featuring my friend and Seahawks helmet collector, Mike Princip, and his amazing creation of a Seahawks Kelly clear shell (which is also featured on Mike's www.greenglare.com (http://www.greenglare.com) website):

http://www.uni-watch.com/2008/04/07/washington-monument/

Curious, are these helmets faked very often? Is it hard to replicate this style/design? Or if you see one on the market are you pretty safe?

[G1X]

To follow-up on Vikingshelmetguy's fine post, MacGregor was another major manufacturer of clear-shell helmets during that era. Also, while the intent was to put the decals and stripes under the clear shell, this was not always done (see photos in my post #7 in this thread).

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League and Atlanta Falcons jerseys, and Willie McGee and Darren Lewis game-used items.

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Curious, are these helmets faked very often? Is it hard to replicate this style/design? Or if you see one on the market are you pretty safe?

To be honest, I don't really know if these helmets are faked very often (I have never seen one in person, and have only seen photos of clear shells). But I doubt if clear shells are faked very often. First, because as far as I am aware obtaining any kind of clear shell helmet is hard due to their scarcity and, second, if you read Mike Princip's Uniwatch article on how he custom-created his Seahawks Kelly clear shell helmet, it seems as if it would take a tremendous amount of work and talent to create a fake clear shell. Mike Princip makes it sound pretty easy but, in reality Mike is an exceptionally talented artist, graphic designer and helmet inventor who has the confidence and artistic experience to reproduce and create a custom clear shell. My hunch is that it would be very hard for most people to replicate and produce a fake clear shell that would fool serious helmet collectors.

[Vikingshelmetguy]

To follow-up on Vikingshelmetguy's fine post, MacGregor was another major manufacturer of clear-shell helmets during that era. Also, while the intent was to put the decals and stripes under the clear shell, this was not always done (see photos in my post #7 in this thread).

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for World Football League and Atlanta Falcons jerseys, and Willie McGee and Darren Lewis game-used items.

Thanks Mark! I forgot that MacGregor also made clear shells (as evidenced by the many awesome MacGregor clear shell photos featured in this thread).

[Jacuzzi]

Jacuzzi, that's pretty incredible to not only own a Maxpro clear shell SMU helmet, but also to have acquired it from the personal collection of Bob Hope. That's incredible! Just curious, how did you get a helmet from Bob Hope's collection? Was his sports memorabilia collection auctioned off to the public at some point?

Sorry for the delay, I didn't receive a new post notice? Anyway, the person I got the items from won them in a Julien's auction of Bob Hope's estate. Here is a link of the auction results. http://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2008-bob-hope/results.html. He won the clear shell an unused team helmet that was customized to "Mustang Bob Hope" and a the game ball that is between the two helmets in the picture I posted. He won all three for I believe it was $192. I made him an offer on the clear shell and it became mine. He offered me a good deal on the other helmet and I would have liked to keep them together but I had depleted my funds at the time and was not able to secure it. He kept the football. I guess Bob was a good friend of Hayden Fry and a large SMU supporter.

[aeneas01]

great thread, gotta love clearshell helmets, i know i do... some thoughts:

- the red smu helmet with "bob hope" lettering that can be seen in the bob hope display case photo, surfaced on ebay earlier this year, sold for about $600, i thought it should have gone for more...

- someone mentioned earlier in this thread that only a few manufacturers made clearshell helmets, not true! just about every helmet manufacturer produced clearshell helmets at one time or another including riddell, wilson, rawlings, protective products, nokona...

- the first plastic helmet, introduced in 1940 and used thru the early to mid 1950's, was manufactured by riddell and also made of transparent plastic, i.e. they were clearshells as well. not only were these helmets offered in solid colors with paint applied to the inside of the shell, but team designs (michigan, rams, eagles, etc.) were also painted on the inside of the shell given decals weren't used.

- "faking" clearshells is possible but very difficult and, given the time and energy it takes to create the reproduction, not worth the effort. there are a couple of guys out there, one a forum member, that do tremendous jobs reproducing clearshell helmets, the result of their work is truly amazing, just beautiful pieces. from time to time you can find one listed on ebay, always listed honestly by these guys as an authentic reproduction. on rare occasions one of their reproductions will find its way into someone hands that will list it on ebay as authentic, but they are pretty easy to spot given, among other things, their typically pristine condition. if you search the guu auction archive you find one of these beautiful reproductions, a rice helmet.

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Hi Robert!

Thanks so much for correcting the mis-information that I had previously posted. I am still learning about clear shell helmets (my team, the Minnesota Vikings, never wore clear shell helmets, so I don't know too much about clear shell helmets). I had always assumed that Maxpro, Kelly and MacGregor were the only manufacturers of clear shell helmets (most photos I have seen of clear shell helmets primarily reflect those three brands of clear shell helmets).... Clearly my assumption was wrong, and I really appreciate your clarification and information on how actually there were many helmet manufacturers, such as Riddell, who also produced and manufactured clear shell helmets. As always, your astute and incredible knowledge of football helmet history and details continues to educate me and everyone here on GUU! Thanks for your great post on this great discussion thread!

Max (Vikingshelmetguy)

[Gridiron Heroes]

-Ditto to what Robert said regarding the numerous manufacturers of clear shell helmets. My partner Matt has an early 50s Riddell MN Gophers helmet that is a clear shell that I helped him aquire from the Tim McGovern collection that was unfortunately broken up after he passed.

-I've owned mostly MacGregors and Kelley clear shell's, but have also owned a few Max Pros (my Atlanta Falcons that I sold a few years back was amazing), and one Wilson, and one Nakona (a high school helmet from my old area).

-I'll also piggyback on Robert's statement that clear shells are very difficult to reproduce or fake. I've seen very, very few repro clear shells. I just nabbed a Michigan clear shell on ebay that I paid a ridiculous price for as I sold my MacGregor a few years back for around 1200. This was less than half that and fills a hole in my collection till I can buy the real deal. This helmet is so well done that if I were less than scrupulous I imagine I could resell it as an original and get around 1K for it and no one would be the wiser. It was an original MacGregor that was stripped of paint and redone down to every exacting detail. I'm only aware of one person myself who remakes these helmets and here's a great link to the article w/ some nice pics of his collection and a few models he's a bout to produce. I'm also throwing in a helmet hut link on clear shells as well (2nd paragraph).

http://www.uni-watch.com/2008/05/07/uni-watch-field-trip-a-visit-with-jeff-fedenko/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2423366978_9ee704a536_o.jpg

http://www.helmethut.com/042006.html

-Photos of the Michigan MacGregor are here w/ the correct era facemask

-Thanks to Robert for all the amazing helmet info. You have an immense wealth of info and I always appreciate your posting about football helmets!

[Gridiron Heroes]

The Washington State Cougars Kelley helmet with Kelley manufacturs date label Aug 13, 1978. Note the taped double jaw pads. That's one of the very few times I've seen it, and the first time in a clear shell. This is also the only WSU clear shell I've seen out there.

I threw in a pic of my current clear shell collection. I've picked them all up within the past 6 months, so not too bad of a start.

Shawn Kennedy
GridironHeroes.net
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com

[aeneas01]

love the cougars helmet, very rare, would have loved to win it... here are some random clearshell shots, some from collections owned by a guu member or two, plus a few game photos...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z00.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z01.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z02.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z03.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z04.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z05.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z06.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z07.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z08.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z09.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z10.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z11.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z12.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z13.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z14.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z15.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z16.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z17.jpg

[aeneas01]

continued....

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z18.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z19.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z20.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z21.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z22.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z23.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z24.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z25.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z26.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z27.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z28.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z29.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z30.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z31.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z32.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/z33.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/31.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/32.jpg

[aeneas01]

continued...


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/33.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/34.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/35.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/36.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/37.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/38.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/39.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/40.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/41.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/42.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/2011/43.jpg

[Gridiron Heroes]

Awesome pics Robert. I'm pretty sure I used to own and sold the VaTech a few years back. I belive it was made into a table lamp and had a hole in the facemask at the bottom if I'm not mistaken. If you know who has the Minnesota Gophers (which is more than likely a salesman sample as the Gophers had stripes on that style of helmet or a high school helmet) or the ISU helmet, please shoot me an email.

Shawn Kennedy
GridironHeroes.net
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com

[tom1315]

Robert what amazing pictures and diversity! I truly appreciate your sharing these...I do not have a clear shell yet boy I am feeling the 'need' to add one. Thank you for sharing!

Tom

Go Pack! NC State 1981 grad

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Robert, thanks for posting all of those amazing photos of clear shell helmets! The Minnesota Vikings clear shell is especially cool! I am wondering if the Vikings clear shell was a prototype? I have never seen a photo of any Vikings player wearing a clear shell helmet during a game.

[John in KY]

Thanks for sharing - the clear shells were an interesting piece of football helmet history.

I believe I read somewhere - maybe over on Helmethut - that Kelley was the distributor for MacGregor helmets in the southwest - pretty much had the accounts of all the old Southwest Conference teams (i.e. the state of Texas), plus covered Oklahoma and some other surrounding states. When MacGregor decided to get out of the business he bought the molds, designs, etc. from them and kept them in production.

Didn't Kelley and MaxPro eventually merge sometime in the 1980s?

[helmets]

Riddell RT

[BrianK]

Riddell RT

This thread just keeps getting better.

[cohibasmoker]

Here's a Ole Miss MacGregor helmet from 1970. An all-original helmet with original hook-ups.

Jim

flaa1a@comcast.net

[Birdbats]

I know absolutely nothing about football helmets, so I'm guessing this would be considered a clear-shell helmet:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/birdbats/IMG_0534.jpg

This isn't my helmet; I took this photo at the Pro Football HOF in Canton last weekend.

[John in KY]

I know absolutely nothing about football helmets, so I'm guessing this would be considered a clear-shell helmet:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/birdbats/IMG_0534.jpg

This isn't my helmet; I took this photo at the Pro Football HOF in Canton last weekend.

Yes - I suspect it was a MacGregor sales sample or something made up for a trade show so equipment managers could see both how clear the shell is (compared to how the old Riddell RT's yellowed) and so they could also see the padding.

[halzeus]

My first Michigan clear shell (and hopefully not my last):

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/DSC_0041.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/DSC_0042-1.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/DSC_0043.jpg

[Gridiron Heroes]

That's a beauty! We have a 1970 Riddell TK listed on ebay right now. LMK if you're interested.

Always buying former Gophers game used jerseys/helmets!

Shawn Kennedy
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com
GridironHeroes.net

[lions93]

Nice lids!

Go Michigan -

Always looking for Jerry Ball gamers.

bosch@boschsmith.com

[halzeus]

That's a beauty! We have a 1970 Riddell TK listed on ebay right now. LMK if you're interested.

Always buying former Gophers game used jerseys/helmets!

Shawn Kennedy
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com
GridironHeroes.net


Thanks.

I bid on that TK when in was previously listed as Rick Leach's practice helmet.;)

[lions93]

Detroit Wheels salesman sample.

bosch@boschsmith.com

[Gridiron Heroes]

That Wheels prototype is nice. I communicated w/ the seller about it for awhile, but his price was too high for me.

As far as the "Rick Leach" helmet, there's no way it was ever worn by him. Michigan didn't wear yellow mask, the helmet is dated 1970, and Leach wore a different mask then the one included w / the helmet. IMO, the seller was trying to get a few extra bucks out of the helmet and listed it as such.

Shawn Kennedy
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com
GridironHeroes.net

[lions93]

I think the helmet is now in the 350 - 400 range (Detroit Wheels).

Any ideas on this helmet?

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/4...04522347_o.jpg (http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/4/3/2/4/6/webimg/504522347_o.jpg)

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/4...04522342_o.jpg (http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/4/3/2/4/6/webimg/504522342_o.jpg)

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/4...04522339_o.jpg (http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/4/3/2/4/6/webimg/504522339_o.jpg)

[lions93]

I'll post more clear shells - need to find my camera. I have the shipping box for the Detroit Wheels helmet.

Has a March 1974 Date.

bosch@boschsmith.com

[lions93]

2nd DW

Paint has released along the top. Front to rear.

Still nice.

Looking for Detroit Lions jersey gamer # 93 Smith or Vanden Bosch

bosch@boschsmith.com

[KELLEYMAC]

fellow collectors.the 2nd michigan reproduction is one of mine. i am new to guu and still learning to nav the site but will try to upload some photos. i am a clear shell collector, and do original reproductions as well as restoration work on only clearshells. these photos i am showing are a few of my reproductions. ray lusk mercs500

[KELLEYMAC]

a few more reproductions

[KELLEYMAC]

these are some of my authentic collection mercs500

[lions93]

Ray -nice work. I have the paint release problem only on the Detroit Wheels helmet.

What would restoring it - do to the value?


bosch@boschsmith.com

[KELLEYMAC]

Ray -nice work. I have the paint release problem only on the Detroit Wheels helmet.

What would restoring it - do to the value?


bosch@boschsmith.com

From my experence that paint issue cant be restored. Its a common problem with clear shells, and i have not come up with a way to fix it .Some one else may have , but i have never seen it done. You have a beautiful helmet Sorry i could not help. Ray

[KELLEYMAC]

these are some of my authentic collection mercs500
dan marino reproduction. maxpro kineomatic

[KELLEYMAC]

dan marino reproduction. maxpro kineomaticpitt panthers

[KELLEYMAC]

kelley mh 100

[cyclonenation]

Anyone know who owns the ISU (iowa state) helmet in post #28 by aeneas01?

[beantown]

Ray,

Nice clear shell reproductions...can you provide some contact information?
I am interested in some of these....thanks..

Chris

[Gridiron Heroes]

Detroit Lions MacGregor helmet. Thanks to Ray Lusk for this one!

Shawn Kennedy
GridironHeroes22@yahoo.com
GridironHeroes.net

[yosef777]

Well after a self imposed exile from the forum (and an always inspirational conversation with aeneas01) I am happy to return and see a new clear shell thread plus a few new members! Ray, I am glad you made it here but I think that Michigan repo helmet was actually one of mine : )
Also, a big thanks for the links from 'gridiron heros' on post #26 and BTW, I have an ISU Mac but not sure if is the same one in the photos aeneas01 posted as they are now removed.

http://www.uni-watch.com/2008/05/07/uni-watch-field-trip-a-visit-with-jeff-fedenko/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2423366978_9ee704a536_o.jpg

Thought I would send a few pics too.
P.S. I apologize for the crappy quality of the photos

[yosef777]

More pics

[yosef777]

one more set

[Shipp_96]

one more set

Simply beautiful helmets! Anytime I see those 70s styles from my childhood it brings a smile to my face :rolleyes:.

[yosef777]

Shipp_96,
Glad I was able to help with some nostalgia.
I feel the same way whenever I see 70's helmets, facemasks, etc. and I have been watching a lot of Hulu's NFL Films from that era to keep my fix going : )

[aeneas01]

some damn nice helmets going on here! gotta love the cornell helmet...

[yosef777]

Thanks Robert!
BTW, I enjoyed the Pete Maravich/Mears thread and concur Mear's is speaking out of both sides of their proverbial mouth : )
Looking forward to your next thread.

[halzeus]

yosef777 (Jeff) please send me an email to dan_oles at hotmail.com

Great helmets!

[Vikingshelmetguy]

Yosef777: You sure have an amazing collection of so many stunning clear shells!

Gridiron Heroes: Your Lions MacGregor is a beauty!

[yosef777]

vikings helmet guy thanks for the kinds words.
BTW, the Lions in the photo is actually a MaxPro.

[yosef777]

Opps, didn't realize you were referring to the gridirons Mac (which is a beauty)

[Gridiron Heroes]

Loving all the clear shells! Keep em' coming!

Shawn
www.gopherjerseys.com (http://www.gopherjerseys.com)
www.gridironheroes.net (http://www.gridironheroes.net)
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com

[princip]

Opps, didn't realize you were referring to the gridirons Mac (which is a beauty)

Your Lions MaxPro is sick! Love the two bar on it.

[yosef777]

Thanks Mike, hopefully we will get another Seahawks clearshell up there : )
Jacuzzi can you send me a an email at abbaistereo@hotmail.com

[princip]

Thanks Mike, hopefully we will get another Seahawks clearshell up there : )


I have a 1978...or '79 copy of the Seahawk Report, where they feature a game used Seahawks MacGregor clear shell on the front cover. Only thing is, the decals were affixed to the outside of the helmet. When I get a chance, I'll post it here.

[princip]

Ok, I scanned my copy of a September 24, 1979 issue of the Seahawk Report, where there is what I thought was a MacGregor clear shell, is more likely a MaxPro clear shell? I do believe the decals are adhered to the outside of the shell, although the image resolution is not very good, and it's tough to tell.

Aside from my custom Seahawks Bill Kelley clear shell, this is the only image I have ever seen of another Seahawks clear shell helmet.

http://www.greenglare.com/images/seahawk_report_09_24_79_1.jpg

http://www.greenglare.com/images/seahawk_report_09_24_79_2.jpg

[yosef777]

That is definitely a MaxPro and it is gorgeous!
I thought Curt Warner wore a MaxPro briefly with the Seahawks (maybe brought one with him from Penn State)?

[princip]

That is definitely a MaxPro and it is gorgeous!
I thought Curt Warner wore a MaxPro briefly with the Seahawks (maybe brought one with him from Penn State)?

He did, and I have a decent picture of him wearing it, although I never got the impression that it was the clear shell model?

[princip]

Here's a good shot of Curt wearing the MaxPro model, however does not appear to be a clear shell, and you can see some residue under the decal, indicating it's adhered to the outside of the shell. Not sure what model MaxPro this is, anyone?

http://www.greenglare.com/images/curt_warner_maxpro.jpg

[cyclonenation]

Yosef777. Any chance you'd ever part with the ISU helmet? Also, any idea why the ISU logo is so high on the helmet on this version?

[yosef777]

Michael,
Warner's MaxPro looks like the Kineomatic model, which the Seahawks could then have been painted over using his Penn State MaxPro or it could be an impregnated model that may have been painted.

Cyclone nation you can send me an email at abbaistereo@hotmail.com

[princip]

Michael,
Warner's MaxPro looks like the Kineomatic model, which the Seahawks could then have been painted over using his Penn State MaxPro or it could be an impregnated model that may have been painted.

Cyclone nation you can send me an email at abbaistereo@hotmail.com

Yep, I would venture to guess that if Curt wore the Kineomatic clear shell at Penn State, then that would be an exterior painted clear shell. Question is, are you sure he wore a MaxPro clear shell while at Penn State? Just don't see that trademark front forehaed pad that you usually see peaking out?

[Shipp_96]

Yep, I would venture to guess that if Curt wore the Kineomatic clear shell at Penn State, then that would be an exterior painted clear shell. Question is, are you sure he wore a MaxPro clear shell while at Penn State? Just don't see that trademark front forehaed pad that you usually see peaking out?

Being you are talking about my all time favorite player from my youth, I decided to help out and load the following images :rolleyes:.

[princip]

Being you are talking about my all time favorite player from my youth, I decided to help out and load the following images :rolleyes:.

Ah yes, thanks Shipp! That top right image is the money shot, and pretty much shows Curt wearing the MaxPro clear shell Kineomatic. So, albeit brief, there was a high profile Seahawk who actually wore the MaxPro clear shell model, although with exterior paint and decals.

[yosef777]

Shipp_96,
Fantastic photos thank you! You took a page out of aeneas01 page with that documentation : )

Michael,
I agree decals are on the outside surface on the Seahawks while the Penn State is definitely a clear shell.

[John in KY]

Ah yes, thanks Shipp! That top right image is the money shot, and pretty much shows Curt wearing the MaxPro clear shell Kineomatic. So, albeit brief, there was a high profile Seahawk who actually wore the MaxPro clear shell model, although with exterior paint and decals.


Shipp_96,
Fantastic photos thank you! You took a page out of aeneas01 page with that documentation : )

Michael,
I agree decals are on the outside surface on the Seahawks while the Penn State is definitely a clear shell.

Well everyone from Penn State wore the MaxPro clear shells back then - they had all their players wearing the same helmet model, and they wore the Kineomatics from at least the John Cappelleti days (1973 - with side numbers) on until the middle 80s (maybe even as late as the 1987 Fiesta Bowl) before they replaced them with Riddell and AiR/Schutt helmets.

Now for Warner's Seahawks helmet could it be a clear shell painted silver on the inside but with exterior decals? Was that "MAXPRO" logo in between the facemask mounting screws typically on the inside or on the outside of the shell? I have to admit the only Kineomatics I've seen in person were older ones that did not have the "MAXPRO" logo on the front.

[yosef777]

John from KY,
That is a good question in regards to the Seahawks / Warner helmet it could have been painted silver on the inside but I assumed Warner brought it with him as no other Seahawks that I know of wore MaxPros plus I believe the Seahawks were quite 'frugal' with their EQ (as they were a Riddell team).

I didn't think Penn State wore MaxPro (which would have actually been a Marietta in the early 70's before they became MaxPro) back in the days of Cappelletti I can't tell 100% from photos but I thought it was still Riddells.

Also, when Marietta was sold (around '75-'76) and became MaxPro they didn't add the MaxPro logo between the helmet clips until years later.

BTW, the MaxPro logo was on a piece of plastic which was screwed into place on the outside of the shell in between the top helmet clips. A few players who wore two bars (Staubach and Cliff Harris of the Cowboys) had a sticker there as they didn't have top helmet clips on their helmets.

[yosef777]

Stop the press, maybe this is a MaxPro, check out the hole through the center stripe. I doubt the EQ manger was cutting holes in the center stripe for the entire team.

[yosef777]

John in KY,
You are correct sir, Marietta/MaxPro on Cappelletti!

[John in KY]

John from KY,
That is a good question in regards to the Seahawks / Warner helmet it could have been painted silver on the inside but I assumed Warner brought it with him as no other Seahawks that I know of wore MaxPros plus I believe the Seahawks were quite 'frugal' with their EQ (as they were a Riddell team).

I didn't think Penn State wore MaxPro (which would have actually been a Marietta in the early 70's before they became MaxPro) back in the days of Cappelletti I can't tell 100% from photos but I thought it was still Riddells.

Also, when Marietta was sold (around '75-'76) and became MaxPro they didn't add the MaxPro logo between the helmet clips until years later.

BTW, the MaxPro logo was on a piece of plastic which was screwed into place on the outside of the shell in between the top helmet clips. A few players who wore two bars (Staubach and Cliff Harris of the Cowboys) had a sticker there as they didn't have top helmet clips on their helmets.

Looks like were were both right for the Cappelletti era - he has a Kineomatic (would have been Marietta then - I forgot to clarify that) but the o-lineman #54 has a Riddell suspension helmet. I'm fairly certain the Riddells were gone by the time they dropped the helmet numbers, then it was all Marietta/MaxPros until pretty late in the 1980s (I suppose once these were discontinued they didn't move on to the newer MaxPros).

Thanks - I had no idea if that "MAXPRO" logo on the later ones was inside or outside the shell; it makes sense that if they could be attached outside then they would do it that way.

[John in KY]

Looks like were were both right for the Cappelletti era - he has a Kineomatic (would have been Marietta then - I forgot to clarify that) but the o-lineman #54 has a Riddell suspension helmet. I'm fairly certain the Riddells were gone by the time they dropped the helmet numbers, then it was all Marietta/MaxPros until pretty late in the 1980s (I suppose once these were discontinued they didn't move on to the newer MaxPros).

Thanks - I had no idea if that "MAXPRO" logo on the later ones was inside or outside the shell; it makes sense that if they could be attached outside then they would do it that way.

I'm quoting myself since you can't edit here. It appears the Marietta/MaxPro years for Penn State were 1973 (Cappelletti's Heisman year) through the end of the 1982 season (Penn State's National Championship season). I was going through the Sports Illustrated vault and noticed that at the Sugar Bowl in January 1983 (or was it December 31, 1982 that year?) they were still in MaxPros. However, there was a feature on their game with Nebraska in the 1983 regular season and it appears they are back in Riddells. Of course there could be some overlap (like that one photo of Cappelletti shows him with the Marietta but a teammate with a Riddell while the color photo shows not only him but 2 other teammates with Mariettas) and I haven't found any good shots of Penn State from say the 1983/84 seasons that happen to show a player with a MaxPro but you never know. Any shots I've turned up from the 1975 through 1982 seasons show all Penn State players wearing Marietta/MaxPro clearshells.

[halzeus]

This was delivered today: A Michigan Wolverines Kelley with a recert label date of 1986. Now I need to get a facemask.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/Helmet002.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/Helmet005.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/Helmet003.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/Helmet004.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/halzeus/Michigan%20Wolverines/Helmet006.jpg

[halzeus]

This was delivered today: A Michigan Wolverines Kelley with a recert label date of 1986. Now I need to get a facemask.

After more research and help from Robert, I am correcting my previous statement that this helmet is a Michigan Wolverines Kelley helmet. It's a great example of a Kelley helmet, but is probably a high school helmet.

Thanks again for the help Robert.

[cohibasmoker]

After more research and help from Robert, I am correcting my previous statement that this helmet is a Michigan Wolverines Kelley helmet. It's a great example of a Kelley helmet, but is probably a high school helmet.

Thanks again for the help Robert.

Hello - was the helmet offered as a Michigan helmet or High School helmet? If Robert told you it was a High School helmet, that's what it is. As for a face-mask, if you want the correct face-mask, contact Curtis at the Helmet Hut.

Jim

[aeneas01]

great stuff! man, you gotta love clearshell helmets! unfortunately my rams were pretty vanilla back in the day, pretty much strictly a riddell helmet team, would have loved it if they were one of the teams that regularly sported clearshells, would have been great pieces to collect!

anyway, sticking with the clearshell theme, some random items - a couple of cool clearshells sold at auction that rarely surface (nebraska, usc):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c01.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c02.jpg

here's a beautiful, mint, new/old stock florida helmet that sold at auction, just as it came from the manufacturer, complete with side nylon washers and top drill hole nylon collars - wow:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c03.jpg

an interesting shot of joe washington, mr. kelley himself, when with the colts. it appears that his kelley (and the kelley logo) was painted over, with decals and striping applied to the exterior. or could it be an impregnated white kelley? hmmm...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c04.jpg

looks like his falcons kelley may have been painted on the exterior as well:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c05.jpg

the saints were known to sport more than a few mac clearshells back in the day, including archie manning, but i'm not sure they ever sported clearshells with the paint and logo applied to the interior - seems that the paint and decals were always applied to the outside. in fact a nice saints mac gamer recently sold at auction which had the paint and decals on the outside... a couple of game photos:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c06.jpg

maxpro also made batting helmets:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/c07.jpg

a few game photos of players sporting macs, kelleys, maxpros, etc. - interesting to see a bears and chiefs players sporting macs given these teams weren't known as teams that sported these type of helmets:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b01.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b00.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b04.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b03.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b13.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b12.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b11.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b10.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b09.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b08.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b07.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b06.jpg

[aeneas01]

continued:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b05.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b04.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/b03.jpg

some helmets:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a21.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a20.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a19.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a22.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a17.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a16.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a15.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a14.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a13.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a12.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a11.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a10.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a09.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a08.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a05.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a07.jpg

[aeneas01]

continued:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a01.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a06.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a02.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a03.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/a04.jpg

[aeneas01]

gridiron heroes: a forum collector noticed that you listed your michigan clearshell on ebay, the same one that (i believe) you said was a reproduction earlier in this thread. if that's the case, i'm not sure your ebay ad tells the whole story? the title of your ad is "MICHIGAN WOLVERINES Game Used/Worn Helmet early 1970s MacGregor Clear Shell!!!"... although you do state in the item description that it isn't game used, you make no mention that it's a reproduction? hopefully i've missed something here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260990810513?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1287

btw earlier in this thread, page 2 i think, i posted a bunch of photos that somehow lost their links and therefore no longer showed up - anyway, i fixed the links.

[tom1315]

Robert, "THANK YOU" for posting the pictures and the commentary. These old gamers are beautiful and amazing...I have 40 + ACC/SEC gamers and they are the more current ones. I will ultimately have to pick up one of these clear shells one day and came very close on the Blue Hen helmet you shared in one of your pictures.

I recently received a Navy gamer from the academy...worn by #34. It's a Riddell 'Speed' lid and worn in the 2011 annual Army-Navy game. The texture on the shell with the gold speckle stripe and Navy anchor insignia on each side when seen in person add up to one awesome gamer. Shipp_96 posted one on here and I had to have one. Not a 'classic' like the clear shells pictured here yet I believe these unique helmets will become 'classic' down the road.

My very best to you, Tom

Go Pack! NC State 1981 graduate

[Gridiron Heroes]

Thank you Robert! I had posted it as NOT game used, but should have posted it as a reproduction as well. I have updated the listing and had no intent do decieve any bidder. I am well aware the most collectors on this forum would see the helmet on fleabay and most know which are my helmets. I'm selling a number of my helmets (and other items) from my personal collection to raise some cash for a new SUV for my move back to MN.

Again, I appreciate the heads up and have updated the listing to make sure there is no confusion on the helmet.

Shawn
www.gopherjerseys.com (http://www.gopherjerseys.com)
gridironheroes22@yahoo.com

[yosef777]

Robert,
Thanks for delving deep into the clear shell archives!
What an offering, gotta love the USC MaxPro. I believe it was part of a grouping which included Roger Staubach's Cowboys/Marietta clearshell and originated from the collection of a former Marietta representatives (and USC EQ manager) collection.
The Nebraska is a stunner as well, along with the Raiders Marietta, and of course the FSU n.o.s. has me salivating : )
Also, I think that Little Joe Washington actually had a few Kelley/Colts helmets. I know he wore a plain white, clear shell (with decals and stripe on top), very similar to the photo you included and there is a Kelley/Colts (with with logos and stripe under the shell) that sold at an auction along with a MaxPro Falcons clearshell. Makes me wonder what happened to the Kelley Falcons (with decals on top o the shell) in your photos.

[cyclonenation]

Robert, love the ISU helmet. Any chance you would consider offers on it?
Andy
www.cyclonejerseys.com

[aeneas01]

It appears the Marietta/MaxPro years for Penn State were 1973 (Cappelletti's Heisman year) through the end of the 1982 season (Penn State's National Championship season).
as you and others have mentioned, penn state was certainly a marietta/maxpro team for many years. in fact, iirc, it was penn state's extreme satisfaction with these helmets that convinced the steelers to give them a try as well.


These old gamers are beautiful and amazing...I have 40 + ACC/SEC gamers and they are the more current ones. I will ultimately have to pick up one of these clear shells one day and came very close on the Blue Hen helmet you shared in one of your pictures.

I recently received a Navy gamer from the academy...worn by #34. It's a Riddell 'Speed' lid and worn in the 2011 annual Army-Navy game. The texture on the shell with the gold speckle stripe and Navy anchor insignia on each side when seen in person add up to one awesome gamer. Shipp_96 posted one on here and I had to have one. Not a 'classic' like the clear shells pictured here yet I believe these unique helmets will become 'classic' down the road.
not much of a modern helmet collector myself, but i can certainly see why folks love to go after these hats, some really cool paint jobs and colors going on these days. speaking of riddell speed helmet you mentioned, are you aware of the $30 million judgement riddell was awarded after they sued schutt for helmet design/invention infringement? anyway, schutt has just introduced their new helmet for 2012 and they've named it "vengeance". obvioulsy it's a shot at riddell's attempt to put them out of biz, but the helmet name has sort of backfired given it doesn't jive too well with football's current hot topic: concussions and player safety.

yes, the delaware helmet that recently sold was very nice. another one sold a few years ago on ebay, complete with delware booster pins, a pennant and programs - the buyer, a knowledgeable helmet collector, promptly relisted it as a michigan gamer, alas.


I had posted it as NOT game used, but should have posted it as a reproduction as well. I have updated the listing and had no intent do decieve any bidder. I am well aware the most collectors on this forum would see the helmet on fleabay and most know which are my helmets.
yeah, your item title threw folks given it stated that the helmet was a game used michigan helmet, obviously an honest mistake. anyway, i've seen these reproductions fetch solid prices when listed accurately, as careful, detailed reproductions - and well they should given they are beautiful collectibles, works of art really. in fact our own yosef777 sold an incredible rice reproduction for a solid price not too long ago, although i personally thought it was worth even more!


Robert, Thanks for delving deep into the clear shell archives! What an offering, gotta love the USC MaxPro. I believe it was part of a grouping which included Roger Staubach's Cowboys/Marietta clearshell and originated from the collection of a former Marietta representatives (and USC EQ manager) collection. The Nebraska is a stunner as well, along with the Raiders Marietta, and of course the FSU n.o.s. has me salivating : ) Also, I think that Little Joe Washington actually had a few Kelley/Colts helmets. I know he wore a plain white, clear shell (with decals and stripe on top), very similar to the photo you included and there is a Kelley/Colts (with with logos and stripe under the shell) that sold at an auction along with a MaxPro Falcons clearshell. Makes me wonder what happened to the Kelley Falcons (with decals on top o the shell) in your photos.
yep, spot on about the usc helmet and i dig the nebraska helmet as well. a couple of years ago i picked up a painted mac on ebay, crappy exterior paint job, and began trying to remove the paint once it arrived. lo and behold it was a '70s nebraska gamer lurking underneath with the solo "n". hell, it was like scratch lottery ticket!

very likely jw sported more than one helmet with the colts, in fact the photo i posted is not conclusive in terms of that helmet being painted on the exterior or impregnated white, could be the lighting, but it sure looks like something is going on. lots of other photos can be found of jw sporting his kelley that is obviously a clearshell, with the front and back manufacturing decals visible below the glass. as far as the jw colts kelley that sold at auction, i believe it was a salesman sample, not an authentic jw colts gamer, the side colts logos were very funky. however the one featured at helmet hut looks like a slam dunk.


Robert, love the ISU helmet. Any chance you would consider offers on it?
not my helmet andy, and i have no idea who owns it - plucked the photo off the net many moons ago, don't remember where. it's a beauty tho, eh?

[yosef777]

These are Joe Washington helmets that were at auction a few years ago. The Colts is a gamer (cracked shell) but the Falcons could be a salesman sample as I have seen a few other MaxPro Falcons samples floating around.

[aeneas01]

These are Joe Washington helmets that were at auction a few years ago. The Colts is a gamer (cracked shell) but the Falcons could be a salesman sample as I have seen a few other MaxPro Falcons samples floating around.
neither helmet is a joe washington gamer imo although they were listed and sold as such, and both originated from the same collector iirc. i believe they are simply reasonable facsimilies that a collector had jw sign, and from there they became "gamers".

in fact i don't think jw sported a kelley with decals/striping under the shell as a pro, not with san diego nor with baltimore, until he landed with the redskins. did this have something to do with kelley not having nfl licensing rights to decal the helmets at their factory, something that changed when maxpro purchased kelley in 1980 or so? who knows. iirc the cowboys decaled their marietta's, i.e. decals on the exterior, until maxpro took over and applied the decals and striping under the shell.

anyway that jw colts "gamer" that you posted, that sold at ami, doesn't really pass the sniff test imo - the horseshoe logo is not consistent with what the colts or jw sported on his kelley, the striping and logo are under the shell, and didn't jw sport a nose snubber throughout his career? as i mentioned earlier, imo the jw colt's helmet featured at helmet is what you would like to see in an authentic jw colts gamer:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/zz02-1.jpg

and as you know jw also sported a riddell in 78 and 79, albeit very, very rarely - may have been his practice helmet that he donned during a game or two:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/album%201/zz00.jpg

speaking of jw, did you see the jw falcons "gamer" currently listed on ebay? it sold last month at mears' for $290 and came with a mears letter of authentication - as far as i can tell mears deemed it an authentic jw gamer because jw played for the falcons in 1985, the helmet was manufactured in 1985, and the helmet had the number 24 written on the inside as well as exterior decals indicating number 24. of course a guy named poole played for the falcons and also wore 24 in 1987 - why did mears believe it didn't belong to him? moreover, i wonder what made mears believe jw sported a riddell wd1 when with the falcons, any photo evidence? anyway, the guy who won it for $290 has listed it on ebay for a buy-it-now price of $1,300...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Joe-Washington-Atlanta-Falcons-Game-Worn-Helmet-Mears-LOA-/130652298230?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6b7bdbf6#ht_500wt_715

[yosef777]

Robert,
That sounds about right for the JW helmets from American Memorabilia auction being 'transformed' into gamers via signatures : )
I also agree, JW always had the snubber on his Colts helmets (although the photo of the Colts on HH is missing?!?) and I have never seen any evidence of JW's Colts or Chargers helmets having the logos/decals/stripes under the shell (it seems like both the Colts and Chargers were clearshells with logo/decals/stripes on top).

As far as the NFL licensing for decals and Kelley I am not sure that was the case as the Cowboys, Lions and Falcons all had players wearing decals under the shell on their Kelley helmets before the MaxPro merger. I am thinking it was more a combination of convenience, laziness and nonchalance in the marketing of the era that resulted in the logos/decals/stripes on the Colts and Chargers helmets to go on top of the shells. Also, although the Cowboys did have the decals on top of their early clearshell Mariettas (Staubach wore one in Super Bowl X) not all of them did. I included a photo of the Staubach Marietta from the auction with the logos/decals/stripes under the shell. BTW, the Eagles Mariettas had the wings under the shell too.

Finally, I did see the Mears Falcons/Riddell 'gamer' as well and was questioning its authenticity myself but as you mentioned JW wore a Riddell on a few occasions (half way thru the Colts/Dolphins famous MNF game he switched to the Riddell) so I wasn't positive.

[project 4]

Hey aeneas01, nice Cardinals helmet! Where did you get it if you don't mind me asking?

[bxbomber13]

Braylon Edwasrds 2010 game worn helmet 53187

[Jacuzzi]

Lions Kelley

[yosef777]

Wanted to post something in a more positive note in relation to Penn State football and thought I would post some photos of a reproduction Curt Warner MaxPro Kineomatic 21 with leather interior I recently completed. Thanks to Curtis at HH, and forum members Ray, Princip, Aeneas01, John in KY and Shipp 96 for their help on the project.

[ousooner_85]

Here is my Oklahoma Sooner Kelley Helmet. Does anyone know if this is the proper facemask for the helmet and era?

[yosef777]

Nice Sooner helmet and yes the facemask looks appropriate for the helmet.

[sjsinohio]

Here is an old Wilson F2000 clear shell helmet I found on ebay. It's probably a high school helmet.

[vinn10zo]

Kelly Washington Redskins GU helmet and MaxPro Arizona State helmet. Both clear shell. Really cool helmets.59692

[cyclonenation]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/sample.jpg

If anyone owns this one or knows who does I would love to hear from you.

[cyclonenation]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/aeneas1/sample.jpg

If anyone owns this one or knows who does I would love to hear from you.

sorry, this helmet

[mrclean08]

I am so fascinated with this topic. So if the one of the premises of the helmet design was so that decals wouldn't have to be replaced, how did they "renew" the scratched up shell? Did they recondition the surface by re-sanding it?

[yosef777]

mrclean08 that was one of the proclaimed benefits of clear shells, less maintainance for eq managers (you don't have to replace the decals or repaint the shells), but the reality was that the shells became so scratched up that replacing the entire helmet (MacGregor/Kelley) or just the shell (Marietta/MaxPro) was necessary.

[cyclonenation]

Here is an Arkansas gamer from maybe 68 or 69.

[cyclonenation]

sorry, really bad pic from my phone...here is a better one

[cyclonenation]

Anybody the owner of this helmet from this thread?

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=44455&page=3&highlight=clear+shell+iowa+state

[helmets]

Too cool of a thread to let die...
Found in a baseball card shop in downtown San Diego - two NFL seasons ago.

[helmets]

The helmet on the previous post has the decals on the outside of the helmet while this helmet has them on the inside of the shell.

[sjsinohio]

Game Used Colorado Kelley Clear Shell

[Eric]

The helmet on the previous post has the decals on the outside of the helmet while this helmet has them on the inside of the shell.

Helmets-
Cool Chargers lids. Can we see pics of the rear of those two helmets?
Thanks,
Eric

[War Helmets]

As a rookie to clear shell helmets,I seen 2 at the Alabama Sports HOF close to where I live in B'ham.There is a Lee Roy Jordan Cowboys clear shell helmet there.It has a red stripe on the outer shell while everything else is on the inside for the 1976 season.I instantly thought it was fake.Now after reading this awesome thread,it is definitely a gamer with 98% of the 3 levels of GU stuff they have in there.There is also an Auburn clear shell helmet in there with the rare orange facemask they wore when Bo Jackson was there.As a huge Bama fan, I didn't pay it much attention ;) I will put a few pics up there with some other great GU items from fellow Alabama natives.Bart Starr,Hank Aaron bats & glove (still home run champ in my book),Bo Jackson bats & jersey's,Kenny Stabler >I could go on & on! I plan to go back this week & will upload some awesome pics.I hope they don't mind.P.S. they also have items from players that went to college in Alabama.A GU Namath Jets & Bama jersey & Derrick Thomas Chiefs GU cleats,jersey,& helmet

[Eric]

Hey Helmet-

Would love to see the back of those two chargers clear shell helmets. Any pics?


The helmet on the previous post has the decals on the outside of the helmet while this helmet has them on the inside of the shell.

[Eric]

Helmets- any chance you can post photos of the rear and inside of those chargers clear shell helmets?
thanks,
Eric

[helmets]

Here you are E.

[Eric]

Thanks!
Do you think they were game used?
I am so confused about a clear shell helmet that I have which looks just like yours, has the decals underneath but is made by Mac-Pro (not Max-Pro) which I have never seen anywhere. I think they made mostly high school helmets.
The date clock on mine reads 1980 and has 63 on rear, and a Dungard facemask.

[helmets]

After six years of trying to buy this helmet...hanging on a nail in a garage - refused to sell it.

1975 First Year of the Football Program under legendary coach Frank "Muddy" Waters!

[BrianK]

After six years of trying to buy this helmet...hanging on a nail in a garage - refused to sell it.

1975 First Year of the Football Program under legendary coach Frank "Muddy" Waters!

Nice. I bet the excellent Helmet Project website would like a photo of your helmet in order to fill in the early years for this school.
http://www.nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/gliac.htm

[montehorton@cox.net]

Oklahoma Sooners 1969 MacGregor game used.

[montehorton@cox.net]

1968 Oklahoma Sooners Brunswick MacGregor Prototype Stripe helmet with Block OU. Practice worn only. There are only a few of these and I've only seen 2 with the Brunswick decal on them.

[montehorton@cox.net]

1974 Oklahoma State MacGregor Burnt Orange

[montehorton@cox.net]

1981 Oklahoma Sooners Kelley...

[commando]

Sweet Lord Jesus. Oklahoma gold!

[montehorton@cox.net]

Actually here's one more... 1974 Oklahoma Sooners Block OU... It took a long long time to find all of these but good things come to those that wait!

[cyclonenation]

Wow!! Those OU and OSU helmets are AWESOME!!! Wish I could find an ISU game used helmet from that era!

[HunterFikes]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161436061392

Thoughts? I have never seen a Bama clear shell and a former manager from this period told me he had never seen one either.

[ousooner_85]

Looks like the striping and numbers were added recently. I know that on occasion teams would apply numbers and striping on the outside of the clear shell (defeating the purpose all together) but the amount of use, brightness of the stickers, etc.....something just doesn't feel or look right.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161436061392

Thoughts? I have never seen a Bama clear shell and a former manager from this period told me he had never seen one either.

[wfl1974]

Looks like the striping and numbers were added recently. I know that on occasion teams would apply numbers and striping on the outside of the clear shell (defeating the purpose all together) but the amount of use, brightness of the stickers, etc.....something just doesn't feel or look right.

Bama used Macgregor clear shells from 1970 -1975. They never used Kelley's that I ever saw. I have one Macgregor from 1970-71, but it looks pretty rough. I've never seen one that the stripes were added later, the only ones I've seen were factory stripes. The numbers were, of course, decals. The decal font for this helmet is wrong...Bama never used this number font except for one or two seasons in the very early 1960's.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p304/wfl1974/UAhelmet1970-71_zps1b8345a2.jpg (http://s131.photobucket.com/user/wfl1974/media/UAhelmet1970-71_zps1b8345a2.jpg.html)

[War Helmets]

C:\Users\John\Pictures\2015-04-02\013.JPG This is a from the Alabama Sports HOF in Birmingham.It has the red white and blue stripes they used in 76.I'm not sure the helmet is a gamer but the jersey sure is

[War Helmets]

Wow that Packers-Cardinals playoff game was crazy! I can't seem to upload that pic from the file I will try again my apology :rolleyes:

[sjsinohio]

Hello I have decided to sell one of my clear shells. I put it on ebay. Here is the link. I am also considering trades so just let me know. Helmet is in great shape! Was given to original owner from the football program in the 70s. He turned it into a lamp.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291690394818?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[War Helmets]

John\Pictures\2015-04-02\0C:\Users\13.JPG

[War Helmets]

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97973&stc=1&d=1456335061 Lee Roy Jordan GU Jersey & NOS Helmet? These are from the Alabama Sports HOF In Birmingham.The manager said I could share pics online as long as nothing negative is said.I have some awesome pics of legends gear

[War Helmets]

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97974&stc=1&d=http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97975&stc=1&d=14563355971456335495 I think the helmet is new old stock but the jersey is definitely a gamer.Don't ask questions on here about the Steelers logo decal on the helmet or a lynch mob will be after you up in here like they did me a few years ago :cool:

[War Helmets]

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97976&stc=1&d=1456336048 Auburn Maxpro with orange facemask from the Bo Jackson era.I am a huge Tide fan & despise the Auburn Tigers as any true Bama fan does,but this is a pretty cool helmet that is hammered with use.Love those Maxpros :D

[tom1315]

Great gamers! Thanks for posting.

Tom

Go Pack! NC State 1981 alumni

[helmets]

Love the Jordan. Here is my Jordan Marietta Clear Shell helmet.

[beantown]

Where is that Stallworth display located?

[War Helmets]

Where is that Stallworth display located? Alabama Sports HOF in Birmingham.Three floors full of tons of GU stuff

[helmets]

Too cool of a thread to let disappear...

MacGregor Dallas Cowboys helmet. Since there were so few MacGregor helmets being used in the NFL back then, when you lost the MacGregor jawpads or the little plastic nubs broke, you sometimes had to improvise with a pair of Riddell jawpads...

Notice how they are sewn to attach to the helmet.

[Toowon]

Clear Shell collectors: Love the thread...except for the Penn State helmets. These helmets are interesting because they have the logo/graphics under the shell. There is no logo on those plain Lions helmets, so what's the difference? Boring. I have some Pitt clear shells (some are already on here, like one of the MacGregors and the Ray Lusk Maxpro Marino), and this one is one of my favorites. It is a half of a Kelley, mounted on a wood board. I've had it for a while now, and I used to display it in a place I could pat it for good luck. Now it's in a spot on my wall in the basement. Hoping for some good Pitt Panther luck this season! H2P!

[cyclonenation]

Thoughts on this helmet? A Wilson clear shell??? Is 1962 the production year or model number?

[cyclonenation]

Back

[War Helmets]

Come on Toowan,Yoself7777's Penn State helmet is killer! The Nittany Lions helmet is a true classic.I can still see that linebacker intercepting the pass against Miami for the Championship in 87 to seal the win

[War Helmets]

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=99735&stc=1&d=1465570677A close up of the Stallworth museum helmet.I have never seen a pic of Stallworth using that type of facemask

[War Helmets]

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=99738&stc=1&d=1465571538Giants throwback clear shell.Not the best pick sorry.I would like to see the Giants use these again

[montehorton@cox.net]

John asked me about a Tennessee Vols clear shell that I sold last year and one that I still have. So we'll see if I can remember how this system works! LOL

[montehorton@cox.net]

Vols 1988 MaxPro SuperPro clear shell. This was about the last year they made
them.

[montehorton@cox.net]

70's SMU Game Used Leather interior... Classic!

[montehorton@cox.net]

1971 Texas El Paso UTEP

[montehorton@cox.net]

80's UTEP... Traded this one this week.

[montehorton@cox.net]

1968 OU Stripe Uncut... Got this baby from South Dakota. It was in a family for a long time packed away in a closet. The daughter was on the equipment staff at Nebraska-Lincoln in the late 60's. If you don't know the story at OU in 1968 it's a pretty good one and well documented. Suffice it to say it was the dawning of the block OU. Brunswick owned MacGregor at the time and they made prototypes for OU to consider for use in 68: a striped version and an unstriped version. You know the rest of the story. Well nothing is ever lost at Norman so lo and behold in 2014 they introduce a red helmet with a center stripe. Only took from '68 to '14 to see it in actual game use. You'll notice several features on this one. The squared out interior corners of the letters. That was from 68 through 76. In 77 when Kelley took over MacGregor helmets that changed to the angled corners and that hasn't changed. There are very few 68 helmets around. They have the gold Brunswick logo on the back. This one must have been sent to Lincoln almost as soon as it arrived. I have two of these, this one and one with a OPO mask. Oklahomagameused has one too. That's all I know of. They're about as rare as original Grello helmets in Eugene, Oregon! :) Anyway I thought I'd put this one up as well since it's basically never been cut and is in mint condition. Weird how these things come to us... eh? But that's half the fun...

Monte

[montehorton@cox.net]

1986 Baylor Black Mask MaxPro

[montehorton@cox.net]

70's Baylor MacPro Kelly Green stripe

[montehorton@cox.net]

1981 OU Practice helmet padded Kelley... This one is in great condition.

[montehorton@cox.net]

70's Kelley OU Sims. Had Billy sign this last year! Pretty cool. It sits in my
office :) Been after the practice helmet and Billy's signature on one like his for the better part of 4 decades... Some things are worth the wait!

[montehorton@cox.net]

80's SMU Maxpro SuperPro... NICE! Still think these are one of the
nicest helmet designs ever!!!

[montehorton@cox.net]

Late 60's OU MacGregor Dungard. Had it signed by Steve Owens and Billy Sims for my son. Had to start him off right...

[montehorton@cox.net]

What I'm still looking for is a Pitt MacGregor or late 70's Kelley. Maybe a Michigan... I'd really like a 72 Oregon and a mid 70's Oregon. They definitely used MacGregor and other clear shell helmets. I still am looking for a Colorado clear shell with the blue and white buff.

Thought I'd end the day with some history. These are likely Orange Bowl helmets. Finally got them last year with the addition of the FSU. Classic!

[montehorton@cox.net]

And by the way, I'll entertain offers on the 71 UTEP, 80's SMU, and the 80's Tennessee Vols helmets... If anybody is interested.

Thanks,
Monte

[tom1315]

And by the way, I'll entertain offers on the 71 UTEP, 80's SMU, and the 80's Tennessee Vols helmets... If anybody is interested.

Thanks,
Monte

These are incredible! Thanks for posting and sharing.

Tom

Go Pack! NC State 1981 alumni

[War Helmets]

No doubt Monte has one of the best college football clearshell helmet collections in the country.Thank you for sharing my friend

[montehorton@cox.net]

80's Texas A&M MaxPro

[montehorton@cox.net]

Here's a rare one... 1977 Utah State Kelley... I've only seen one other in a collection. I'm sure there are more out there somewhere though.

[montehorton@cox.net]

John you're too kind. Mine is only a very small collection compared to some I've seen and contributed to. My all time favorite helmet is not an OU or a clear shell helmet, which is surprising to even me! LOL Here's my favorite...

The 2007 - 2008 Oregon Grello DNA... Jonathan Stewart signed this one but it
was Cameron Colvin's game helmet. He was one of the De Lesalle 5... They went 1-3 in these helmets only to have Oregon over paint them in 2009 in that throwback CS yellow for the Cal and Oregon State (Civil War) games, both of which they won! So it wasn't the helmets... :) As a result only a very very few probably a handful still survive of the original paint job which was done masterfully by Continental. Enjoy...

[montehorton@cox.net]

Ok... I've finally posted a lot of the clear shells currently and formerly in my collection. See them at thehelmetproject.net along with OU and Oregon helmets.

Monte

[montehorton@cox.net]

Clear Shell collectors: Love the thread...except for the Penn State helmets. These helmets are interesting because they have the logo/graphics under the shell. There is no logo on those plain Lions helmets, so what's the difference? Boring. I have some Pitt clear shells (some are already on here, like one of the MacGregors and the Ray Lusk Maxpro Marino), and this one is one of my favorites. It is a half of a Kelley, mounted on a wood board. I've had it for a while now, and I used to display it in a place I could pat it for good luck. Now it's in a spot on my wall in the basement. Hoping for some good Pitt Panther luck this season! H2P!
Would love to talk to you about Pitt clear shells. check out thehelmetproject.net...

[Jacuzzi]

Dallas Bike

http://i67.tinypic.com/33ykod2.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/21ou5o6.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/2ljja4z.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/2vbn9qt.jpg

[Jacuzzi]

Nebraska Bike

http://i63.tinypic.com/2itn3va.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/25qsoe1.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/5po32c.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/1zqge8l.jpg

[Jacuzzi]

Buccaneers Kelley

http://i64.tinypic.com/2rpr7fc.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/20pzmkk.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/ipcawh.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/259d0uv.jpg