What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

[montehorton@cox.net]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

I know it's a while back but those are beautiful helmets! wow...

mine are posted now at thehelmetproject.net

Thanks,
Monte

[kgredin1]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

the forum's own larry pelliccioni was kind enough to email me photos of some of his beautiful clear shells for my database but, i have to say, it would be a crime not to share these gems with you guys...















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Gorgeous helmets!

[G1X]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Here are some pictures of my WFL Birmingham Americans clear-shell MacGregor helmet of Paul Robinson (1968 AFL-Rookie of the Year when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals). Most of the Americans wore Riddell, but a few such as Robinson wore MacGregor clear shells. Robinson wore this helmet until mid-way in the season when it got cracked behind the left ear hole (see photos). He switched to a Riddell at that point.

Note that the Americans applied the stripes, logos, and small number decals (below the ear holes) on the outside shell of the helmet. Also note in the last two photos that on this particular helmet, they put Robinson's name in dymo-tape under each earhole on the inside of the helmet. However, I have seen Americans helmets with dymo tape only on one side, and I have another Americans helmet of a player who was there the whole year (as was Robinson) that does not have any dymo tape ID in the helmet (but does have the number decals on the outside under each ear hole).

Everything is original on this helmet except the four clips that hold the facemask in place. As is the case with many helmets from that era, they dry-rotted and had to be replaced. Charlie Waters, perhaps the most knowledgeable "unknown" helmet guru out there (along with Bob Drzewiecki), was kind enough to provide me with the proper matching grey clips.

I am not much of a helmet collector as I only have a few in my collection, but I love this style of helmet. Unfortunately, they look much better than they protected. I wore this style when I first started playing semi-pro ball in 1977, and after getting drilled upside the head and seeing stars while catching a pass over the middle in my first game, I quickly went out and bought a Bike which offered a lot more protection. I wore that Bike until I "retired" after the 1982 season.

The MacGregor ended up with one of my teammates who was one of the best athletes on our team. He took a blind-side shot to the head while covering a punt and ended up with a bad concussion. He never played again. I don't know whatever happened to that helmet as I didn't think too much about it back in those days other than it wasn't the most protective helmet on the market.

My long-time hobby friend of over 30 years, Larry Pelliccioni, asked about the value of clear shell helmets and Birmingham Americans helmets in the opening post of this thread. Being that the Americans are my all-time favorite football team and the clear shells being my favorite visual style, I can honestly say "priceless" as I will part this world before I part with this helmet.

Enjoy the photos!

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

Always looking for WFL and Atlanta Falcons Jerseys

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

princip - my sincerest apologies for not giving you kudos as well on your great clearshell work! but i did post a link on the forum many months ago to the great write uni watch did on your helmet!

mercs5000 - i wonder if we picked our helmets up from the same guy? i have two that are identical, size 8, and packed with all of the original material as well! it's probably been two years since i picked them up and they've been sitting here ever since...

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sorry dont remember who i got them from

[princip]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

princip - my sincerest apologies for not giving you kudos as well on your great clearshell work! but i did post a link on the forum many months ago to the great write uni watch did on your helmet!

mercs5000 - i wonder if we picked our helmets up from the same guy? i have two that are identical, size 8, and packed with all of the original material as well! it's probably been two years since i picked them up and they've been sitting here ever since...

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Thanks Robert. I remember your props on the uniwatch writeup. In fact my response, within that thread, was my first post on this site. I think I was googling clear shell helmets and found the GUU. So happy I did.

BTW, that pic. you attached of the clean and ready to go clearshell has inspired me. I think for this next go around I'll take the Fedenko decal approach, as opposed to using the high maintenance water slide decals. I'm sure it was a lot easier for Kelley and co. to make the waterslide, yet, for a home project there are just too many steps in the process; i.e. getting the colors right, test prints, priming the decals(white not printable), 3M spray coat protectant......etc.

[aeneas01]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Only thing that would make that Mac MH100 lot better is if they were unpainted. Very nice!

here's one ready to go!



and here's a beauty on display at the hall....



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[aeneas01]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

princip - my sincerest apologies for not giving you kudos as well on your great clearshell work! but i did post a link on the forum many months ago to the great write uni watch did on your helmet!

mercs5000 - i wonder if we picked our helmets up from the same guy? i have two that are identical, size 8, and packed with all of the original material as well! it's probably been two years since i picked them up and they've been sitting here ever since...

...

[princip]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

THANKS FOR THE PRAISE JEFF. YOUR VERY KIND

I THOUGHT SOMEBODY MIGHT ENJOY THIS PHOTO. 4 BRAND NEW OLD STOCK MACGREGOR MH 100'S SIZE 8'S WHAT A FIND.

Only thing that would make that Mac MH100 lot better is if they were unpainted. Very nice!

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

I Do My Rivets Like Jeff. I Think You Could Get Curtis At Helmet Hut To Rivet In The Padding But I Think Jeff Will Agree That With Cracking Problems That Clear Shells Always Had Its Not Worth The Risk.

THANKS FOR THE PRAISE JEFF. YOUR VERY KIND

I THOUGHT SOMEBODY MIGHT ENJOY THIS PHOTO. 4 BRAND NEW OLD STOCK MACGREGOR MH 100'S SIZE 8'S WHAT A FIND.

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

I Do My Rivets Like Jeff. I Think You Could Get Curtis At Helmet Hut To Rivet In The Padding But I Think Jeff Will Agree That With Cracking Problems That Clear Shells Always Had Its Not Worth The Risk.

[princip]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Have to admit I think Ray is the master restorer. (No disrespect to Michael Pricep's Seahawks helmet.) I have seen Ray's helmets first hand and they are perfect. In fact that is one way to recognize them as repos because they are better than the Mac/Kelley/MaxPro factory produced : )
I too, have had ebayers relist helmets I recently sold and try to pass them off as salesman samples, gamers, etc. and I also reached out to the buyer (and fellow collector) to give him a heads up. Definitely a buyers beware on ebay.
Too bad those types are part of the hobby : (
Dr. J that A&M is a real nice one too didn't know I bought it from you.
Finally, I agree that Vikings is a beauty, thanks for the pics.

Thank you for the compliment on my Seahawks clear shell, however, there is no comparison when it comes to the work you and Ray do on these clear shells. Oh man, that Colts lid with the white BD-9, and that Saints Kelley clear shell with the ultra cool 3 XL JOP mask are two of the nicest clear shells I have ever seen.

I have only one small request; better resolution/pics on that Colts helmet.

[aeneas01]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Have to admit I think Ray is the master restorer...

imo both of you guys do absolutely outstanding work on your clearshells and i've sung your praises in the past at the forum - just beautiful reproductions. further, it's great that you have both joined the forum! btw ray, do you approach your clearshells in the same manner as yosef, do you glue the rivets in place? or have you figured out a way to re-rivet the suspension padding as was done by macgregor?

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[yosef777]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Joe Washington / Colts / Kelley repo

[yosef777]

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Have to admit I think Ray is the master restorer. (No disrespect to Michael Pricep's Seahawks helmet.) I have seen Ray's helmets first hand and they are perfect. In fact that is one way to recognize them as repos because they are better than the Mac/Kelley/MaxPro factory produced : )
I too, have had ebayers relist helmets I recently sold and try to pass them off as salesman samples, gamers, etc. and I also reached out to the buyer (and fellow collector) to give him a heads up. Definitely a buyers beware on ebay.
Too bad those types are part of the hobby : (
Dr. J that A&M is a real nice one too didn't know I bought it from you.
Finally, I agree that Vikings is a beauty, thanks for the pics.

Re: What is the value of NFL and WFL clear shell...

Here Are Some Photos Of A Couple Of Reproductions Ive Done. The Saints Helmet Sold For 900.00 On Ebay, I Still Own The Rebs Helmet. Ive Also Done Dallas,and Pitt Helmets. I Always Sell These Helmets With Full Discloser That They Are Original Reproductions. Sadly I Have Seen Some Of My Repros Relisted On Ebay As Original Gamers. Buyers Beware. Ray