Occasionally, a helmet comes up as a topic on one of the on-line memorabilia forum discussions.  Such was the case with this helmet worn by Cliff Branch.  The discussion centered around the alternative logos worn by Branch on game photos from the 1975 season.  The collectors discussed why Branch was the only player to wear the different logos on the team, why that was, and how that helmet had never resurfaced again.  Hence, when we had a chance to purchase the helmet of those discussions, worn by newly inducted Hall of Famer Branch, we could not pass it up.  

Game Worn Oakland Raiders Riddell TK suspension helmet worn by Hall of Fame receiver Cliff Branch during the 1975 season.  Branch would have his second of three First Team All Pro seasons while wearing this helmet in 1975.  
 

The helmet is an older Riddell from the 1960s as indicated by the earlier heat stamps under the silver paint on the rear of the helmet.  Obviously prepared quickly for an unknown reason by the Bay area reconditioner, the helmet has faded tape in the crown with the notation, “Detroit Lions Silver.”  Additional notations inside the helmet include a “4” and “7” written in marker.  The “7” would presume to be the size, consistent with what Branch wore, while the “4” could be a past player identifier, or more likely the season (1974) that the helmet was used prior to Branch wearing it.  Branch wore a suspension helmet with a beige rubber snubber in 1974, prior to wearing this helmet for the following 1975 season.  In 1976, he was issued a new helmet with team issued/applied Raiders logo decals.  Branch played in the ProBowl game following the 1974 season where his helmet was painted red for the game.  Branch did not wear this helmet in the ProBowl game following his 1975 season - masking it all the more rare.   It was given away by the team or by Branch where it hung in a bar, receiving more wear and tear on display than what opposing players and Branch did to it on the field.
 

A rare helmet indeed, from a ProBowl season, by an AFC Hall Of Famer that was not painted red?  An outstanding survivor not to mention the one-of-a-kind logo decals.  It is interesting to note that there appears to be red paint under the silver as noted by the exposed paint on the front left side near the rivet.  Was this the helmet that Branch wore for the ProBowl game following the ‘74 season.   

The helmet is all original from the day we received it.  Following the 1975 season, it hung in a bar where it became stained by the bar’s “atmosphere!”  The clear overlay of the rare decals were heavily stained by the smoke associated with bars of the 1970’s and 80’s.  The previous owner, upon purchasing the helmet carefully removed much of the brittle, stained laminate on the decals.  Remnants of the stained laminate remains as well as an outline of where it was - consistent with the positioning in Branch photos of the 1975 season.  There is a slight crack in the helmet, near the red under paint, as shown in the photos - most likely the reason why the helmet was taken out of service and given away.  Branch’s #21 was removed from the helmet prior to being given away - consistent with all Raiders helmets that were handed out.  
 

If you are a Raiders helmet collector, you know how rare game used Raiders helmet are - let alone one that is attributed to a Hall of Fame player.  The helmet is truly a one of a kind item that has a very interesting and unique past.  If this helmet could talk, oh what stories it could tell, as well as provide answers for all of the questions regarding its stellar past.  This is one nice, rare, unique, Raiders helmet.  The photos do not do it justice.  Not beat to crap, but also not fresh and shiny.  This one is just right and won’t last long.  Don’t wait or even think about it.  You won’t regret it.