Houston Oilers Jersey Help

[plinvestments]

Does anyone know if they used Sand Knit or Wilson during the 1979 season?

[JDubbs73]

Does anyone know if they used Sand Knit or Wilson during the 1979 season?

I'm not very familiar with the Houston Oilers' jersey history, but I was able to find these with a Google search:

http://catalog.greyflannelauctions.com/lot-18209.aspx

It appears that Sand Knit was the manufacturer in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Game Worn Uniforms has an Oilers jersey titled as being from 1978. It may be worth while to inquire about its tagging.

Good luck!

[sox83cubs84]

I don't recall the Oilers using Wilson until sometime in the 1990s. That er would likely be Sand-Knit, or possibly Russell.

Dave Miedema

[bgakladd]

Google search shows RR Auction selling a game worn Earl Campbell Oilers jersey c1979 road white and being authenticated by Grey Flannel with a smaller Wilson tagging. Also another Earl Campbell team issued but not worn Oilers jersey authenticated and sold by Grey Flannel with a Wilson tagging early 1980's. not 1979.

[plinvestments]

Google search shows RR Auction selling a game worn Earl Campbell Oilers jersey c1979 road white and being authenticated by Grey Flannel with a smaller Wilson tagging. Also another Earl Campbell team issued but not worn Oilers jersey authenticated and sold by Grey Flannel with a Wilson tagging early 1980's. not 1979.

That was my concern. Anyone have an opinion on whether the 1979 Campbell is a legit gamer? Perhaps its a gamer, just not from 1979?

Here is a link to the said jersey.

http://www.icollector.com/Earl-Campbell_i17857248

[JDubbs73]

I won't offer an opinion, but I'll share what I have been able to find from internet photo searches (hence a limited scope).

The road jerseys worn during his rookie campaign (1978) have different number fonts from the jersey in question. The front, rear and shoulder "4"s are all cut straight v. angled inward. The collars all appear to be rounded, or subtly V-necked, and to end above the front seam across the chest. The sides don't appear to have any elastic and the sleeves, in most cases, appear to be cut short and open for more room. When not cut, the fabric on the sleeves is hemmed and extends below the striping.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-on-the-news-photo/73895654

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-carries-news-photo/154064859

The road jerseys from 1979-80 also have different fonts from the jersey in question. The front and rear "4"s are angled inward, but are still cut straight on the shoulders. Additionally, the font for the front, rear and shoulder "3"s is thinner in the game action photos. The collars and sleeves are still similar to the 1978 description above.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-carries-the-ball-news-photo/154064850

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-looks-on-against-the-news-photo/154064856

In 1981, the road jerseys appear to revert back to the 1978 style with the exception of the font style/size. The front and rear "4"s are back to being cut straight. The front and rear "3"s are now closer to the style of the jersey in questions; however, the red numeral outlines are much thinner than in years past. The collars and sleeves are still consistent as with how described above.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-looks-on-news-photo/154064894

There are road jerseys in both 1982 and 1983 that appear very close to the one in question. However, the collar appears (difficult to judge) to dip below the seam across the front chest which is inconsistent with cited. The problem becomes the crotch piece as it is clearly missing in one of the photos.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lawrence-taylor-and-earl-campbell-walk-off-the-field-news-photo/73820058

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-carries-news-photo/154064870

FWIW, I could not find any photos of a road jersey that showed elastic running the full length of the side. As noted above, I limited my scope to simply an internet photo search. Team publications could prove to be a valuable resource in your decision making process.

Good luck!

[BrianK]

Interesting question. I hope we can get to an answer. Here's another auction. Fab-Knit?
http://catalog.greyflannelauctions.com/lot-29713.aspx

[JDubbs73]

Here are two more solid examples, one photo matched to the 1982 season (cut above tag line) and one graded A10 by Mears (Russell Athletic):

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7041&lotIdNo=96001

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=88736

[plinvestments]

I won't offer an opinion, but I'll share what I have been able to find from internet photo searches (hence a limited scope).

The road jerseys worn during his rookie campaign (1978) have different number fonts from the jersey in question. The front, rear and shoulder "4"s are all cut straight v. angled inward. The collars all appear to be rounded, or subtly V-necked, and to end above the front seam across the chest. The sides don't appear to have any elastic and the sleeves, in most cases, appear to be cut short and open for more room. When not cut, the fabric on the sleeves is hemmed and extends below the striping.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-on-the-news-photo/73895654

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-carries-news-photo/154064859

The road jerseys from 1979-80 also have different fonts from the jersey in question. The front and rear "4"s are angled inward, but are still cut straight on the shoulders. Additionally, the font for the front, rear and shoulder "3"s is thinner in the game action photos. The collars and sleeves are still similar to the 1978 description above.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-carries-the-ball-news-photo/154064850

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-looks-on-against-the-news-photo/154064856

In 1981, the road jerseys appear to revert back to the 1978 style with the exception of the font style/size. The front and rear "4"s are back to being cut straight. The front and rear "3"s are now closer to the style of the jersey in questions; however, the red numeral outlines are much thinner than in years past. The collars and sleeves are still consistent as with how described above.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-looks-on-news-photo/154064894

There are road jerseys in both 1982 and 1983 that appear very close to the one in question. However, the collar appears (difficult to judge) to dip below the seam across the front chest which is inconsistent with cited. The problem becomes the crotch piece as it is clearly missing in one of the photos.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lawrence-taylor-and-earl-campbell-walk-off-the-field-news-photo/73820058

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/running-back-earl-campbell-of-the-houston-oilers-carries-news-photo/154064870

FWIW, I could not find any photos of a road jersey that showed elastic running the full length of the side. As noted above, I limited my scope to simply an internet photo search. Team publications could prove to be a valuable resource in your decision making process.

Good luck!

Thank you! Posts like this is what makes this forum great.

[bgakladd]

I found the jersey again from somebody's collection. These look better for photo matching purposes. Good luck in your search. A couple of photos.

[bgakladd]

I found an Earl Campbell Oilers photo where he is wearing a road white jersey WITH the elastic on the sides like the jersey in question. And it is the only photo I could find so far. But the numerical font is completely different in this photo. With the facemask he is wearing, it looks to be an early career jersey, late 1970's. Will show the pic when photo problems are resolved.

[JDubbs73]

Great photo! It actually looks like it's an old durene jersey.

[bgakladd]

The durene style was a surprise to find. So we know he did have a jersey with an elastic look to it. The crotch piece jersey in question is getting to be quite a task to find, and with it going thru a major auction house it would seem there is a photo of him wearing it out there somewhere....I hope!!

[BU54CB]

The numbers in the photo also appear to be sewn on, not screened.

[JackHE]

I don't really collect Oilers jerseys but I have had one from my uncle for about 20 years. I have seen the discussions here on tagging but the one I have of Gregg Bingham has a Champion tag (size 50). The jersey is the most beaten up I have ever seen. Thanks for any feedback or thoughts.

Jack E