AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

[EndzoneSports]

I have recently come across a new jersey, that seems to present somewhat of a mystery regarding identification, as its' characteristics have cast something of a cloud over established knowledge of the genre. As such, I am posting here with request for opinions in the hopes that someone may be able to shed some light on the mystery.

Pictured below is a 1967-'68 era Broncos home jersey which we recently acquired. We are confident that the orange knit Durene is a legitimate gamer having been confirmed as such by the player who wore it, the team's equip mngr of the period as well as others.



While the jersey's tagging is long gone, there are stitching remnants at the jersey's left front tail which indicate that the original tagging measured approx. 1 1/4" w. X 1" h.


Just recently a collector submitted information regarding a similarly styled road jersey (see below)



The player who wore this jersey played for only two seasons with the team--1968 and '69. As the '69 jerseys had significantly different physical characteristics (different font, screened #s/sleeve striping vs knit/tackle-twill, etc), it stands to reason that this would be an exemplar of a 1968 style--of the same period as the home jersey pictured above.

Though the pictures of the road jersey is the best/only available, somewhat higher resolution graphics of the orange home jersey can also be viewed at

• http://pscoggin.com/Endzone/Graphics/ROFers/RJ_f.jpg
• http://pscoggin.com/Endzone/Graphics/ROFers/RJ_r.jpg

The rub is that the that the white road jersey has its manufacturer's tagging affixed to the inside of the left rear tail and is sized noticeably larger that the 1.25x1" tagging on the home jersey. Note that I have intentionally not shown detail of the tagging so as to avoid bias in opinions.

My questions are as follows:

1. Do these two jerseys display similar enough physical characteristics whereas they would be considered to have been produced by the same manufacturer?
2. Can anyone positively identify the manufacturer(s) based upon the displayed physical characteristics?
3. If deemed as being from the same manufacturer, can anyone account for the difference in size/location of the tagging.

Any qualified opinions would be greatly appreciated. Once I've allowed sufficient time for response, I will post additional information.

Best regards,

[G1X]

Re: AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

Hi Patrick,

Here are my thoughts on these two incredible jerseys, assuming that the orange #87 has evidence of a nameplate removal and it is indeed a legit Broncos jersey of the great Rich "Tombstone" Jackson.

The Broncos began wearing the style shown in your photos in 1967. Now, look closely at the end of the sleeves. The orange jersey cuffs appear to differ from the sleeve cuffs on the white jersey. I can definitely match the style of sleeve cuffs on the white jersey to photos from the 1967 season (photo evidence of both white and orange jerseys having this style cuff in 1967). If this is the case, the Jackson jersey was most likely ordered for and used in 1968, and the Broncos used a different supplier that season. Or perhaps it's the same supplier, and they were putting the tags in a different location in 1968.

As for #78 Cichowski white jersey, there is the strong chance that it was "recycled" for the 1968 season. (Does it appear to have a nemplate change and/or was anyone wearing #78 in 1967?) There is always the possibility that it was a jersey from their 1968 order, and it is a case in 1968 of the Broncos using a different supplier for the orange jerseys (sort of like the Braves and White Sox using two suppliers in the 1990s).

Just my thoughts.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

1 1/4" w. X 1" h.

From the dimensions given, I would assume the orange shirt had pre-1967 Sand Knit tagging. I have never seen Rawlings tags from the late 1960s with these rather small measurements. I mention Rawlings, because I assume the white shirt has a Rawlings tag with adjacent laundry tag.

One question:
Are the numerals single color tackle twill with colored stitching (as apposed to 2-layered tackle twill)?

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

I would assume the orange shirt had pre-1967 Sand Knit tagging.

I meant pre-1968 tagging, like the one pictured:

[Jake51]

Re: AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

Hi,

To the Tombstone, it does show where a nameplate was removed [Thanks to Patrick's help, I have a letter from Rich Jackson stating that this was his jersey and that he has the nameplate in his trophy case. Hoping I can reunite the two someday ]

I have also been able to 'video match' the jersey to the 1968 Broncos highlight video that was produced by AFL Films [technically they were NFL Films but that is the name used on the dvd I have]. There are three scenes that showed a close up of Tombstone in action and/or sitting on the sidelines and I was able to pause the video and make a multi point match to repairs that showed on the jersy Tombstone was wearing and also show on the jersey I have.

I will watch the 1967 highlight video to see if I can match anything there and let you know.

Thanks,

Tom

[EndzoneSports]

Re: AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

From the dimensions given, I would assume the orange shirt had pre-1967 Sand Knit tagging. I have never seen Rawlings tags from the late 1960s with these rather small measurements. I mention Rawlings, because I assume the white shirt has a Rawlings tag with adjacent laundry tag.

One question:
Are the numerals single color tackle twill with colored stitching (as apposed to 2-layered tackle twill)?

BTPH:

The road white jersey is indeed a Rawlings shirt with the following 2-pc tag affixed to the inside of the left rear tail:


As Mark mentioned, while it is possible that this was a recycled 1967 jersey that was put into place for wear in 1968, there was no player on the Broncos' roster in 1967 who wore the #78. By 1969, the Broncos had switched to a different style of jerseys, utilizing vinyl numbering. The graphics of this particular jersey were just recently provided, which is what has led to the ID dilemma.

Last year, we acquired and examined the home orange jersey of Rich "Tombstone" Jackson. While the tagging is no longer present, the are well defined stitching marks that would indicate that a tag measuring 1 1/2 x 1" was, at one time affixed on the outside of the left front tail. Having not examined a sufficient number of jerseys from this era, we were not familiar enough with the design specifications of the various manufacturers to conclusively determine the manufacturer of origin.

Our initial presumption was that this was a Wilson jersey, based on the similar dimensions of their tagging from that period (see below) as well as statements from Larry Elliott, the teams' equip. manager who noted that Wilson jerseys were utilized during the early part of his tenure (1965-'82) with the team.


Further complicating matters is that you've now pointed out that this could possibly be indicative of Sand-Knit tagging. Our only other evidence, which is also inconclusive, is a (Nov 24) 1968 photo of the Broncos' Paul Smith which depicts the tail of the jersey exposed.


Unfortunately, this photo does not show sufficient detail to make a conclusive determination either.

In answer to your question regarding the numbering, both home and road jerseys exhibit single color tackle-twill numbering which is affixed via an embroidery-like piping.

Any further help in narrowing the specific manufacture of the orange home jersey would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

[both-teams-played-hard]

Re: AFL Era Jersey ID Help Requested

Patrick
From the B/W photo of the untucked jersey tail, I would think that it is NOT made by Sand-Knit. The tag positioning seems inconsistent with other Sand Knit jerseys, I have seen from the era. At times from the mid to late 60s, Wilson did use a smaller version of the standard "one bar" size and laundry tag. However, I still think it was bigger than the measurements initially given.
Now, if evidence shows there was a "flag-tag" on the orange jersey at one time, I would not rule out Powers, Mfg. of Waterloo, Iowa. Powers made many high school and major college durene jerseys during the era. They made jerseys for teams in the Mid-West and Far West, especially. In the 70s, they made jerseys of the Denver Nuggets and Seattle Seahawks. I am not sure of other pro teams they contracted, but it is worth the research. Usually their tag is adjacent to a tag from the local sporting goods distributor or supplier. Auction houses and eBay sellers often credit the distributor as the maker, and often overlook the small and rather plain Powers tag. Their size tag was usually sewn on the top only (flag-tag).

Powers' uniform number "5"s will usually have a point on the inside serif (diamond 5).