Game Used Notre Dame Riddell Wilson F2004 suspension helmet.  The helmet is all original and unmodified since its purchase from a private collection. The helmet has a factory datecode on the rear of the helmet from 1972, and was used in 1973 when the Irish went undefeated and won the National Championship.  The helmet is all original and complete as sourced - with the original suspension, Wilson leather jawpads, and Wilson 2-bar mask from the late 60's to early 70's.  There is also a very rare concusion vinyl system under the suspension, that we have only seen on one other Wilson helmet from this period. 

The helmet has been painted with several layers of ND Gold paint, with overspray extending over the bottom of the helmet and into the inside - as the team did during this period.  The paint that Notre Dame used during this period was not the shiny, glittery paint as used today and throughout the last 15 years.  The more “dull” gold of the helmet perfectly matches what the team used when compared to photos or to other Irish game helmets from that period.   At some point, shortly after its release, the helmet was converted to a lamp, which was the case with many Notre Dama helmets over the years.  The helmet had a decal applied to each side, with a conventional sticker on the right side, and a water-slide decal on the left. The new owner may wish to remove these or leave the helmet as it is, as it adds to the character of the helmet.  The nice thing of these converted helmets is that the team and specifically the equipment staff chose to leave the helmets as they were with no modifications.  Thus, this helmet is complete with the interior suspension and any markings and notations. 

The helmet shows moderate exterior and interior game wear.  There is a faded player identifier number marked on one side of the interior while the right side has the faded name "LINEHAN" written under the earhole.  Paul Linehan, a heavily recruited high school player, accepted a four-year scholarsip to play for the Irish in 1972.  Injuries plagued Linehan ultimately resulting in Linehan leaving the football program in 1974, but he was a member of the undefeated National Championship team in 1973 - while wearing this helmet.  The helmet is the same model as worn by Irish quarterback Joe Theisman.    A very rare helmet of a highly desireable model, that obviously saw some years of action on the gridiron, obviously worn in the Champion year of 1973.