Fresh to the helmet collecting hobby.  This helmet is a game worn 49ers Wilson suspension helmet.  The 49ers along with the Bears used Wilson football helmets and this one is a fine example of what they used.  This helmet is all original with the very light metallic gold paint as was used by the team in the early 1970s.  Multiple layers of paint points to several seasons of tough use by a 49er starting player.  This helmet is all complete with the Wilson padded leather suspension, the ultra rare leather jawpads, and a Schutt OPO model facemask installed to it - which is original to this helmet along with the original hardware to secure the mask.   The logos and striping are all original to the helmet and adhered well with no lifting.  There is a very faint #40 identifier marked in the center round crown padding.  Ken Willard wore #40 for the 49ers and wore a Wilson helmet for much of his career.  In the early 70s, Willard switched from a Riddell 2-bar facemask to the Schutt OPO and wore it during his last season in 1973.   An awesome, rare, all original 49ers helmet that does not come around very often.