Game Worn Chicago Bears Marietta Kineomatic 21 helmet.  The helmet was manufactured out of the Marietta Texas plant in 1973 as indicated by the interior stickers located in the crown.  The helmet was sourced by a long term Marietta employee.  At the time, Marietta was trying to gain share in the NFL with their heavily padded helmets, which offered more protection than the popular suspension models produced by Riddell, Wilson, and others.  Helmets that came back to the factory for warranty or other issues were replaced with new helmets.  Rather than dispose of the older helmets, the employee would take them home to his sons who had a nice collection of NFL helmets.  

The helmet is all original and complete as sourced and has not been altered in any way since it left the field.  Although the Kineomatic 21 was a clear shell helmet, this helmet was painted on the exterior.  The helmet has a Schutt red dot NJOP style facemask, secured to the helmet with reproduction clips as the original clips were long gone.  The helmet retains all of the original leather padding including the leather Marietta jawpads.  This padding is very rare with complete sets selling for several hundred dollars.  The helmet has its original Bears logo decals on the helmet.  Marietta had used their own decals for many of the different NFL helmets but also used decals provided by the teams.  The Bears on this helmet appear to be identical to Wilson game used helmets that we have.  The logos are adhered to the helmet well, with no lifting.  There are also #68 player identifiers marked on both sides of the interior of the helmet.  Jim Osborne wore #68 for the Bears.  The helmet shows moderate to heavy wear as can be expected.  A great helmet to display for your collection, of a very rare model of helmet.