Very few helmets are as highly sought after in our hobby than a John Madden era Raiders suspension helmet.  Each of them that rarely surface are beat and battered with gouges, paint transfers, combat marks, along with ripped and torn paper thin logos.  This helmet is no exception.  Awesome.  Once a Raiders helmet is sold, it rarely reappears.  This one may never reappear again either.    Consigned from a collector and owner of the helmet.  

Game used Oakland raiders Riddell TK Suspension helmet.  The Riddell TK suspension helmet was the most popular helmet used in the NFL during the 1960’s and 1970’s, and remains very popular with helmet collectors today.  The Raiders did not recondition their helmets during the season except for an occasional new logo decal slapped onto the helmet right over the torn remains of the original.  As the season went on, their helmets became more and more battered and damaged and served notice to their opponents that they were in for a war on those Sunday afternoons.   

The helmet is original, and not been modified except - the facemask clips - replaced by Helmet Hut reproduction clips after the originals became brittle and finally gave way - as they all do with age.  Additionally when the helmet was purchased, it had a large "21" on the rear.  The owner of the helmet has removed the number.  The shade difference of Raiders Silver paint indicates that the #21 has been on the helmet for many years as the silver paint has aged to the darker patina of all Raiders helmets have from this period. 

The helmet has its original Schutt NOP model mask.  The mask was loose from the helmet when the consignor had purchased it - both from the broken clips but also due to the mask being bent in a manner that it is significantly wider than the helmet.  The owner has not attempted to bend the mask back to get it to fit the helmet. 

The helmet shows moderate to heavy wear for most NFL helmets, which can be expected for an Oakland Raiders helmet from this era.   The helmet is complete except for the chinstrap, and retains both well worn jaw pads.  The original NOP model mask is loose from the helmet as described above with the helmet including four reproduction clips as well as its original screws and hardware. 

The striping and side logos are original to the helmet.  They are positioned properly, and adhered to the helmet with no lifting, but with damage to the side logos.  

An extremely rare Raiders helmet, fresh to the hobby, at a very fair price.   You know how rare original Raiders helmets are.  Don't wait on this one.