Radtke Sports, Gridiron Authentics...

[mvandor]

We are not trying to mislead anyone by the the "Game Issued" statement. The NFL teams give the athletes 2 helmets a year, one to wear on the field and one as a back-up. I guess the back-up you can call a "Game Issue". Which in this business is a very loose term considering what passes as "Game Issues". If we received one of the back-ups issued to Favre or any other player of his stature it would be much higher in price than $500.00 price tag. We will be changing the descriptions to "Game Style" helmets from now on. The differences as you see in the "Game Style" helmet were created because a lot of collectors want all the decals, facemasks, and chin straps that their favorite players wear. Unfortunatley, Ridell does not sell Regular Pro-Lines with the decals or facemasks like that to the general public. Thus, creating a market for helmets to be altered to accomadate the collector who wants something a bit more like what Favre is wearing on the field . We appreciate the feedback and we take it very seriously here. We are available MON-FRI 9AM-6PM EST. Our phone number is readily available if you have questions or concerns.

Rick, kudos for addressing the issue. I have expressed concerns to you previously by email over your use of the term "game issue" to describe helmets customized to approximate game used helmets issued by the teams. This change is certainly a significant movement toward better "truth in advertising".

[big1Z]

You beat me to the punch. Like I said they are all guilty if not more than lambeauleeper. Favre currently wears a WD-2 at least lambeau had a 1996 WD-1 when he had the Favre Super Bowl 31 lid. From my emails with lambeau he never admitted "dressing" up a Proline like Radtke did (not saying he didn't either). Also lambeau at least got the placement right on his decals and used the correct size. BRADY WEARS A XL HELMET! DUH!!!! Not to defend lambeau but he was THE FIRST to come clean. I will poast more abuse as I see it and appreciate comments. PS mvandor you got a deal from lameau on your charges helmet if your reputable buddy Gridiron Authentics starting bid is $985.00 and claims to have sold his made up helmets signed by Brady for $1,400.00. I guess they're ALL crooks....I wouldn't be surprised if they get all their helmets from the same source. Now this is REAL STUFF...........

[Eric]

Big1Z

I sent you an email at the address you registered with. I got a recept that said you read it. Please write me back ASAP
Thank you
Eric
ecky3@aol.com

[Eric]

Big1Z

How do you explain the fact that you are posting from the same IP address as 34DD who has been banned from this site.

34DD is also known as lambeauleeper.

Hmm

[mvandor]

Big1Z

How do you explain the fact that you are posting from the same IP address as 34DD who has been banned from this site.

34DD is also known as lambeauleeper.

Hmm

LOL, exposed again. ***content removed. let's not pile on please***
Nevertheless, this discussion HAS lead to lambeau cleaning up his language a bit and now Rick Radtke is addressing the issue of misuse of the term "game issue". Now if Gridiron Authentics responds, we'll be 3 for 3 and the collecting hobby will have taken a small step forward.

[mvandor]

aeneas, while we're on the GA subject, would you mind looking at pics of my Montana "game issue" helmet from GA? I actually bought it on ebay from the orig buyer, not GA directly, about a year ago. Unlike my other helmets, this one is rough inside and does have leather jaw pads, however, the numbering seems too clean inside, and given our recent discussions on GA, I'd be shocked if this actually was ever a team issued dome. In any event would appreciate your comments.



Rest of pics here: http://thevandors.com/montana

[aeneas01]

mvandor - i feel like i'm always giving you bad news...

imo the chances are slim to none that your helmet ever saw the inside of the 49ers lockerroom. for one, i certainly don't trust the source (ga) - further, i feel that if ga thought for a moment they had their hands on an authentic montana helmet, an authentic montana helmet with strong provenance that would pass authentication mustard, i sincerely doubt they would sell it with a letter that minced words by referring to it as a "game issue" lid (notice how ga and the like never use the term "game issued").

the facemask clips are incorrect for that era (89-92), the exterior paint job looks far too new, the warning label appears off (not wide enough) and too new as well and the "sf" decal placement is incorrect. also, the thin transparent border of the "sf" decals on your helmet (if this is what i'm seeing your photos) is inconsistent with the authentic decals used by the 49ers which were cut to color.

also, i'm not sure montana ever wore an nfl shield on his lid while with the niners even though they were introduced before he left the team and even though many of his teammates wore them. i noticed that steve young's helmet was also sans the nfl shield during montana's last year in sf as well...

fwiw, the fact that your helmet is an impregnated yellow shell that was painted gold is a plus given that this was standard practice when it came to the niners and other teams that painted their shells gold (i.e. using a yellow shell as the base). yet, having said this, it's impossible to tell from a photo if your helmet is even painted the same gold as the niners used during that era - you would really need to compare your helmet to an authentic one in person to be certain of this.

but, again imo, i think you have a very nice piece of memorabilia in your montana helmet which i'm sure displays very well. further, if you ever decide to move over to the dark side, i'm sure you could come up with a creative story of provenance, easily earn a loa and sell it as an authentic game issued montana lid.

here are some very suspect (imo) game issued / worn montana helmets that have sold at auction in the last few years...

lelands 12/02 - sold for $2700



lelands 05/03 - sold for $2000



lelands 12/03 - sold for $1600



ebay 09/07 - ended at $165 without reserve being met



closeup of authentic niners decal from that era...




a couple of notes - the lids pictured above that sold at lelands on 12/02 (for $2700) and 12/03 (for $1600) are the same lid. if you look closely, it also appears that this lid is an impregnated navy shell painted gold. hmm...

[mvandor]

Have you catalogued any pics of what you feel is a legit Montana lid by any chance?

I have a great 8x10 closeup of Montana in this type of helmet to compare to, and I see your point on the clips and the sticker placement (too far from the upper front chinstrap snap). The leather jaw pads are visible in the pic and are on my helmet which is a plus - most of the ones in your pic set lack those and some have what appear to be an incorrect facemask, mine appears to be a match. Concur exterior paint color is tough to photo match. On the inside my helmet shows it's been around, outside it looks like it was just reconditioned, it's perfect.

Stickers though, ARE cut to color. As for the NFL shield, I can't find a pic on Getty for the 91-92 season that shows that area. Any photo sources you can suggest other than Getty?

I have serious doubts as well as to whether this traces back anywhere near the 49ers locker room, or if it does, whether it really was assigned to Montana. But if it's a knockoff it's a very good one. Actual clips from 20 years ago may have required replacement, and from my photo check, the 49ers weren't anal about sticker placement, I've noted quite a bit of variance in angle for example in just a few minutes on Getty.

But I do appreciate your analysis, it confirms some aspects and casts doubt on others. Thank you, my friend. Bad news isn't good, but the truth IS the truth.