Game Used Michigan State Riddell RT2 Clear Shell Helmet.  This style/model of helmet was used by the Spartans and very popular with the team from the early 1950s. The Riddell RT helmet was made from Tenite plastic and replaced in the late 1950's - early 1960's with Riddell's Kra-Lite plastic line of helmets. The RT model was a clear shell - painted from the inside of the helmet - eliminating the need to repaint helmets caused by on-field damage. The Spartans later painted the exterior of these helmets to match their later RK models that were painted on the outside. This helmet remains in its original condition - with the original paint from the inside. The RT model helmets are very rare in the helmet market with examples seldom seen and rarely available.

The helmet was used from the early 1950's through the late 1950's and perhaps in practice following that. The helmet is original, complete including the early Riddell chinstrap and the rare original interior RT2 model sticker. The helmet is all original - unaltered or modified in any way.

The helmet is complete along with the original rare early Riddell chinstrap.  The helmet has the early 6-point suspension system on the inside, along with the very early snap in leather jawpads. Early models of the RT helmets had wrap-around leather jawpads that were riveted in place and were not removeable. The helmet has an original rare very early plastic 2-bar model facemask, showing light to moderate wear with remains of period masking tape attached to the bar. The mask is secured to the helmet with the original hardware. It is highly likely that given the age and model of the helmet; it originally had a single bar mask, replaced later with the 2-bar due to the improved player protection that it offered.

The center stripe is a solid plastic piece - used to secure the two halves of the helmet together - unlike single piece molded models that came out a decade later. As mentioned above, the helmet is painted from the inside of the helmet.  The Spartans did not wear logos on their helmets during this period. Likewise, the Spartans started wearing player identifier numbers on the sides of their helmets for the 1956 season, while not wearing any helmet numbers from 1947 through 1955. There are the letters "AAA" written multiple times on the helmet interior. These letters have bled through the paint and do appear visible from the outside of the helmet. We have priced the helmet accordingly.

The helmet shows moderate game use, and remains in excellent display condition. An excellent, very rare model of an early Spartan helmet - very seldom found, which you may never see another one like it.