Quote:
Originally Posted by Kzoo
Guys........I picked this 'flat top' up last weekend at a local antique show and finally got around to photographing it. It has a nice Spalding patch on the inside and is in great shape, except for the missing chin strap. This is the earliest football helmet I've ever owned, as it dates c. 1900-1910 according to my research...........Matt
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Matt,
Your football helmet is a Spalding No. C flattop head harness that dates from between 1909 and 1911. 1909 was the first year that the No. C had vertical leather strips on the rear neck protector, and in 1912 the neck protector was changed to more of a flap than just an extension of the back of the head harness.
I've got a chart showing the evolution of Spalding helmets on my website:
http://www.antiquefootball.com/helmet_evolution.htm
Chris Hornung
www.antiquefootball.com