In the more than 30 years we have been doing this, rarely does an NFL game used helmet from the 1960's or 1970's pop up that we haven't seen before.  It is getting to the point that most of the helmets that survived from more than 40-50 years ago have been discovered.  We have seen them in peoples collections or they keep getting "recycled" from one major auction house to the next.  Next time an older NFL helmet is offered through a major auction house, Google the helmet.  Chances are it will pop up from a previous sale through a different auction house.  Not this helmet.  This one is fresh.  This one is special.  Consigned from a collector and long-time owner of the helmet.  

Game used Washington Redskins Alvin Reed Riddell Kra-Lite TK suspension helmet.  The helmet is original, and is unaltered or modified in any way with the exception of the facemask clips - which were replaced on the helmet before Helmet Hut started reproducing the period clips more than 20 years ago.  The massive 7 1/2 sized helmet has a date code on the interior of 1972 but was worn through the 1974 season given the rare, one-year version of the Riddell front bumper.   It shows moderate wear on the exterior and light to moderate use on the interior of the helmet, however the original leather jawpads are heavily worn - most likely used for several seasons by Reed.    The rubber crown piece is warped - as they all do, but by time, not by wear.  The helmet is complete except for the chinstrap, with the original suspension, original leather jawpads, and the original Schutt OPO model facemask.  The mask is secured to the helmet using early 90s Schutt clips as described above, but retains it's original slotted screws. 

The striping and side logos are original to the helmet.  They are positioned properly, and adhered to the helmet with no lifting - a bit unusual for the oversized round Redskins logos from this period.  Interesting to see the replacement right side white stripe - applied over remnants of a previous stripe by the Redskins equipment staff.  No need to waste time removing the end of the old stripe - too much trouble to loosen the nose bumper to remove it - just cut out the majority of the old stripe and apply the new stripe over the end of the old.  Love it. 

The rear of the helmet has Reed's #88 player identifier proudly flanking each side stripe.  Were they carefully placed above the Riddell heat stamps?  Nah, the equipment staff just slapped them on right over the stamps!   Similarly, both Reed's name and #88  were "scribbled"  by the same equipment staff on the inside right of the helmet, near the earhole, along with another #88 above the left earhole as well.  Awesome! 

An extremely rare helmet, fresh to the hobby, of a highly sought after team, in a rare XL size.  You know how rare original Redskins helmets are, and not many are finer examples than this one.   Less knowledgeable or beginning collectors may grumble a bit at the price of this Reed helmet, however we have never seen another one and, like my father used to say,  "...what did you pay for the last one like it that you bought?"  Exactly...