Herschel Walker "Game Used" Vikes Helmet...

[aeneas01]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170269883232

ebayer "gameuseduniforms" has listed what is said to be a herschel walker game used vikings helmet which, imo, displays far too many problems to be authentic. i contacted "gameuseduniforms" to request the date code but was told it was not readable. while this may be true, it's also true that "gameuseduniforms" had previously emailed me the date code from a garrison hearst "gamer" he had listed which confirmed that it was in fact a youth model i.e., a reproduction. "gameusedunniforms" did not respond to this information and let the garrison hearst helmet ride. was "gameuseduniforms" concerned that the herschel walker date code would reveal additional information that would conclusively disqualify it as authentic? hard to say.

because of this and because "gameuseduniforms" elway "gamer" currently listed on ebay is obviously a reproduction, i contacted jim yackel who apparently provided the loa for the walker helmet. given that jim is one of the most honest game used dealers in the business, i wanted to make sure that he did indeed sell this helmet and provide the loa - that the loa was not manufactured. jim responded with the following:

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Hi Robert,

As it turns out, that helmet may not be any good. I originally purchased it circa 2001 and from a source I trusted and I didn't do my homework as I should have because I trusted the seller so much. I'll never make that mistake again. As I understood it, the current ebay seller was going to return the helmet to me for a refund as it isn't what we all thought it was. I don't know why it is still on ebay.

Best Regards,
Jim

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it seems that many of the helmets "gameuseduniforms" sells were obtained from auctions and/or dealers and were accompanied with loas (such as the hearst and walker helmets). as such, i get the distinct impression that "gameuseduniforms" feels no obligation to act on information that contradicts the authenticity of his helmets - it appears that as far as he's concerned, he purchased the helmets as authentic and he is selling them accordingly. while i can understand why someone would choose this unscrupulous approach, i mean no one wants to be the one left holding the bag, i find it especially inexcusable when the original seller (jim yackel for example) is willing to offer a full refund. but if what i was told about the elway "gamer" is true, it certainly tells me everything i need to know about "gameuseduniforms"...

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[sacker12]

I would have though it would have been legit due to the fact that it had the logo and size stamped into the shell. But, you can never be too careful.

[mvandor]

Robert, he also has a Georgia helmet allegedly belonging to Herschel Walker at http://cgi.ebay.com/Herschel-Walker-...QQcmdZViewItem

This one is backed by a University of Georgia Athletic Association letter.

Given he's 0-2 on the other 2 lids, thought you might review and opine on this one as well.

[Number9]

Same seller's baseball jerseys (Vince Coleman), NBA jerseys (Isiah Thomas), and college football items (Hearst helmet) have been questioned by the forum.
The LOA on the Herschel UGA helemt doesn't exactly sound concrete either, it was simply shown to the UGA musuem curator, who said "it looks like a Herschel Walker helmet". I seriously doubt the museum curator gets into helmet codes and photo matches, nor spent any time with it during a visit.
I also find this bidding to be 'unusual', 102 bids by this ebay member, all 102 with this same seller:


http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...wItemLink'

[bigtruck260]

For what it's worth...

He did respond to my (and other member's) emails about the Coleman jersey. It was originally listed as 1990, but he changed it to reflect an 8 year difference (1998). However, the jersey still has issues, and based on what I am seeing here, it is not something I would spend $300-800 on.

Thanks folks.

[aeneas01]

here's another hw helmet that was listed on ebay last year - a reproduction. another one was listed at the same time that had a manufacturing date of 1999 which automatically disqualified it. and then there's hw's gamer on display at the uga sports museum - how many lids are collectors supposed to believe he wore????






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[aeneas01]

walker vikes lid sold for $500 to an ebayer with 0 history...