I've owned this helmet for many years.  This is an original PPI helmet from the mid 1970s.  A date code of 1975 is stamped on the shell of the helmet.  It is the same model that Harvey Martin wore with the Cowboys.  About as rare of a helmet as you will find.  A handful of Cowboys wore a PPI helmet but not many other players in the NFL used them (see our listing for a consigned Ed Fisher Oilers helmet).  The helmet does not look like it was used.  Martin wore this model of helmet during the majority of his playing days with the Cowboys, along with a MaxPro clear shell and a BIKE AiR Power. 
 

One of the things that I like about this helmet is the paint.  Not the glittery, sparkly paint that you see on some Cowboys helmets.  This one is very simple - in the Cowboys blue - just like the photos of Martin found below.  Martin in Dymo Tape on the rear.  Helmet is a large 7 3/8 - 7 1/2.  Green dot well worn NJOP model mask attached - secured with the original slotted screws.  Has a Rawlings chinstrap - four point low.  Not many manufacturers made 4 point low chinstraps during the early 70s.

If you know helmets, you may know what you are looking at - but not many collectors do.  The PPI helmet was a leading edge helmet designed to reduce the number of concussions of players wearing Riddell suspension helmets in the early 1970s.  It was developed at the same time that Riddell was phasing out their TK suspension helmet for their padded Micro Fit and Pac3 models.  The PPI helmet utilized a heavily padded suspension along with front and rear padding with integrated side padding - secured to the helmet using screws similar to Wilson and Rawlings helmets of the same era. 
 

The helmet is original, and is unaltered or modified in any way with the exception of the facemask clips - replaced by Helmet Hut reproduction clips after the originals became brittle and finally gave way - as they all do with age.   It shows light wear on the exterior and interior of the helmet.  The helmet is complete including the chinstrap, with the original PPI padded suspension, original jaw pads, and the original Schutt NJOP model facemask.  The mask is secured to the helmet using reproduction clips as described above, but retains it's original slotted screws.

The striping and side logos are original to the helmet from when I purchased it.   They are positioned properly, and adhered to the helmet with no lifting - or any damage to the side logos.  Interesting to note that the center stripe has aged to a beautiful off white while the side logos, printed and protected on the underside of clear vinyl, remain white.

This helmet is part of my personal collection and has been on display in a cabinet for years.  Thinning the collection a bit and it can go to another collector.  This is not a replica helmet, nor is it a brand new reproduction helmet that are now being offered.  Great for the office, bar, or den. Excellent gift for the fan in your life.