Have You Seen a Catcher's Mask Like This?
 

This mask was at a Hunt Auction in about 2006 and I liked it because I had never seen this style mask before? How about you? anyone know when it's from? have you ever seen one before? thanks

Could it be hockey?

It may be a prototype type thing from the '20s or '30s. The headstraps are distinctly baseball catchers mask and it has the diamond shaped "spitter" which was common on masks in the '30s. Just my guess though.

definately not hockey.... looks like a Hannibal Lecter Model...

I think I saw one on the cover of a Quiet Riot album once. :p
Seriously wish I could help but I have never seen one like that.

the shape of the mouth area, maybe its some weird fetish mask!

I agree with Brock, and also did once see it pictured in a Spalding or Reach Equipment Catalogue from the 1920s (can't remember which). It's definitely legit, and is an exceedingly rare style. Obviously, it never caught on "back in the day"....

My guess is that it was cumbersome to wear, for two reasons...

1. More limited visibility than a traditional wire mask
2. Lack of ventilation and air circulation. Probably made the catcher sweat like a pig!

Thanks a lot for your feedback. It's funny because I liked it at the time because I had never seen it before. But after clipping the photo and seeing how this mask can be interpreted - I don't really love it anymore. ha.

BTW, this item went for over $2,300 -

sorry i ruined it for you!

actually your comment I was fine with. lol it was the hockey reference.

well hockey masks have only been used since the 60's and have never been metal. The cages were metal early in the 70's but nothing like this one.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it being a hockey mask. For one thing if a goalie showed up at a game in the 20's or 30's wearing that thing he'd have been laughed out of the arena (or off the pond). Also, if it was meant as a hockey mask why construct it in such a way as to invite a slapshot to the eyeballs?