Mid 1970s Minnesota Vikings TK suspension helmet - consigned by a long time collector of rare vintage helmets.  The helmet was never used,  and remains in excellent condition - with the only marks being from moving it around for the past 50 years.  The helmet has a Riddell factory sticker on the inside with a date of 1977, applied over a previous factory sticker.  The logo decals are representative of what the Vikings wore in the early 1970s, along with the date code on the 2-bar Riddell facemask of 1974 leads us to believe that the factory sticker under the 1977 top sticker most likely has an earlier date code on it.  Hence we are describing this very rare gem helmet as a "mid-70s" helmet. 

The helmet is original, complete, and unmodified in any way.  It is a rare size of 7 5/8, uncommonly a XL size, with an XL size 5 neck strap.  Fran Tarkenton of the Vikings wore a 7 1/2 or 7 5/8 helmet during his career.  Was the helmet produced for Tarkenton who preferred the more comfortable, lighter suspension helmet over the heavier padded helmets in the Riddell lineup?  Tarkenton did indeed wear the TK suspension helmet in the mid to late 70s and by 1977, Riddell had all but discontinued suspension helmets turning their production over to the presumed safer padded Pac helmets.  One can only imagine the history and story of this helmet produced by the Riddell factory and not making it onto the field.   Seldom do Vikings helmets appear in the collectible market and when they do, they are quickly snatched up at premium prices and rarely reappear.  This helmet is the 'cream of the crop" of those Vikings helmets that appear - museum quality.  Highly sought after Riddell TK helmet, complete with the Riddell suspension, original Riddell leather jawpads, original factory warranty label the inside of the helmet.  A museum quality helmet that you rarely see - with a chance to own it.