Game Worn Used Chicago Bears football helmet - worn multiple seasons by a number of Bears players.   The helmet is complete and original as sourced to us with no modifications or alterations of any kind with the exception of the facemask clips.  The helmet was new from the Wilson Athletic factory in 1965 when the majority of Bears wore Wilson helmets.  It shows tremondous use - both inside and out of several seasons yet “survived” until 1974 when the Bears switched from their famous white C logo to the orange and white that remains in use today.  

The helmet is not attributed to a player - rather has been attributed to multiple players over its nine (9) year life before being released from the team. Multiple player identifier numbers were marked on the leather suspension of the helmet - as was the practice by the Bears Equipment Staff in the mid to late 1960s.  Jim Purnell, a linebacker is assumed to have been the first player issued the helmet and wore it through the 1968 seasons.  Purnell, a three year full-time starter was a menacing linebacker and held down the right side of the Bears defense as teams attempted to run away from Butkus in the middle.  Other player identifiers are 63, 54, and either 85 or 35. 

The Wilson rare F2000 model helmet is all original and complete with the interior leather suspension padding, Schutt NOP style facemask, and original logos.  The original clips of the helmet were broken and replaced with newer Schutt clips, yet the helmet retains its original hardware used to secure the mask.  Several layers of paint are shown on the helmet - see the top view photo - where the helmet was refurbished over the years.  The logos are in excellent condition leading to the belief that the helmet was prepped for the ‘74 season but not used.   The original Wilson leather jawpads arein fair condition with heavy wear - as often is the case with F2000 model helmets that saw multiple season-long use through the years.

Nice very rare gamer, attributed to a star player and several others, certain to be the centerpiece of your Bears collection.

Shown below is #53 Jim Purnell wearing the Wilson F2000 helmet.