I was recently contacted by St. Vincent de Paul in Green Bay and asked for help in identifying a helmet which had been donated to them. They have in the past received plenty of game-worn items.
They plan to put the helmet on eBay once they know what they have. Just to be clear - I have no financial interest in the auction, and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety I promise not to bid on it when it does go up for auction. I said I would help only because I'm interested in the mystery, learning whatever I can about the team's helmet history. Helmets aren't my area, and I am quite keen to learn.
Here are the pictures they supplied. If there are any other details we need they can provide them (I'm thinking the interior stickers, if they can tell us anything).
The double-layer decal is interesting to me. I know that the Packers used them until the late 1960s, but am not when precisely when they switched to the single-layer. I've heard that it was around 1970.
I'm also curious about the single-piece construction. Haven't seen that on a gamer before.
The large number decals seem to indicate early 1970s to me. According to the Packers' site, the number 54 was issued to Malcolm Walker in 1970 and Wimpy Winther in 1971 (Winther also wore 52 for part of the season).
So what do you think?
From what we can tell the helmet is a 60's style helmet but no one wore the number 54 in the 60's. In 1970 Walker had it and 1971 Winther had it. I guess our main question is if the Packers used these helmets into the mid 70's. In 1973 Larry Mc Carren wore the number and he is a local hero being a sportscaster and all. When did the packers use decals for the numbers on the back of the helmet?
Also the decals on the helmet are different. The one on the left side is 1 piece and the one on the right side has a G decal ontop of a white oval decal.
Also the decals on the helmet are different. The one on the left side is 1 piece and the one on the right side has a G decal ontop of a white oval decal.
Here are the pictures they supplied. If there are any other details we need they can provide them (I'm thinking the interior stickers, if they can tell us anything).
The double-layer decal is interesting to me. I know that the Packers used them until the late 1960s, but am not when precisely when they switched to the single-layer. I've heard that it was around 1970.
I'm also curious about the single-piece construction. Haven't seen that on a gamer before.
The large number decals seem to indicate early 1970s to me. According to the Packers' site, the number 54 was issued to Malcolm Walker in 1970 and Wimpy Winther in 1971 (Winther also wore 52 for part of the season).
So what do you think?
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